From Perception to Communication: A Theory of Types for Action and Meaning

Robin Cooper's book "The Theory of Language and Action" proposes a theory of language and action that incorporates both linguistic and non-linguistic action, providing a basis for a theory of action based on a Theory of Types with Records (TTR). It emphasizes the importance of interaction in dialogue and incorporates the technical advantages of the formal language view of semantics into the action-based view, leading to improved understanding and empirical coverage.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 16 March 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This open-access book explores a concept of type that encompasses both linguistic and non-linguistic actions, paving the way for a theory of action grounded in a Theory of Types with Records (TTR). Robin Cooper contends that a theory of language rooted in action enables the adoption of a perspective on linguistic content that emphasizes interaction in dialogue, which stands in stark contrast to the traditional notion of natural languages as essentially akin to formal languages like logics developed by philosophers or mathematicians. Simultaneously, he argues that the substantial technical advantages offered by the formal language view of semantics can be seamlessly integrated into the action-based perspective, leading to significant advancements in both intuitive understanding and empirical coverage. Instead of relying on possible worlds, as is commonly employed in studies of natural language semantics, this enterprise employs types. Types are more manageable than possible worlds and hold greater potential for unraveling the implementation of semantics, both in machines and in biological brains.

This book explores a concept of type that encompasses both linguistic and non-linguistic actions, paving the way for a theory of action grounded in a Theory of Types with Records (TTR). Robin Cooper contends that a theory of language rooted in action enables the adoption of a perspective on linguistic content that emphasizes interaction in dialogue, which stands in stark contrast to the traditional notion of natural languages as essentially akin to formal languages like logics developed by philosophers or mathematicians. Simultaneously, he argues that the substantial technical advantages offered by the formal language view of semantics can be seamlessly integrated into the action-based perspective, leading to significant advancements in both intuitive understanding and empirical coverage. Instead of relying on possible worlds, as is commonly employed in studies of natural language semantics, this enterprise employs types. Types are more manageable than possible worlds and hold greater potential for unraveling the implementation of semantics, both in machines and in biological brains.

Weight: 982g
Dimension: 252 x 180 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192871312