The Semantic Conception of Logic: Essays on Consequence, Invariance, and Meaning

This collection of essays explores the semantic conception of logic, invariance criteria, and logical truth, presenting cutting-edge research and revisiting central criticisms. It will be valuable to philosophers and logicians.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This comprehensive collection of innovative essays delves into the intricate realm of the semantic conception of logic, exploring the principles of logicality, grammaticality, and logical truth. Contributors embark on a historical journey, tracing the roots of the semantic tradition back to the pioneering work of Tarski, while also examining its profound historical applications. At the same time, they critically reexamine central criticisms of the tradition, particularly the reliance on invariance criteria to explain logicality. Furthermore, the book delves into the latest critiques of the semantic approach, engaging scholars from mathematics and linguistics to shed light on its significance in their respective fields. As a valuable resource for philosophers and logicians, this book offers insightful perspectives and profound insights into the core concepts of logic and its applications.

The semantic conception of logic, which emerged in the early 20th century, is a philosophical framework that seeks to understand the meaning and interpretation of logical statements. It emphasizes the role of semantics in determining the truth-value of logical propositions and argues that logical validity is determined by the meanings of the logical symbols and the relations between them.

One of the key principles of the semantic conception of logic is the idea of semantic invariance. According to this principle, logical validity is unaffected by changes in the interpretation of the logical symbols or the relations between them. This means that a logical proposition remains valid regardless of whether it is interpreted in a different semantic context or in a different language.

However, the semantic conception of logic has faced criticism from various quarters. One of the main criticisms is that it fails to account for the intuitionistic nature of many logical concepts. Intuitionism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the role of intuition and experience in determining the truth-value of logical propositions. Intuitionists argue that logical validity is determined by the way we perceive and understand logical concepts, rather than by the meanings of the logical symbols and the relations between them.

Another criticism of the semantic conception of logic is that it is too abstract and theoretical. Some philosophers argue that it is difficult to apply the semantic conception of logic to real-world situations and that it lacks practical relevance. They argue that logical validity should be determined by the way we use logical statements in our everyday lives and that the semantic conception of logic fails to provide a sufficient account of this use.

Despite these criticisms, the semantic conception of logic remains a significant and influential philosophical framework. It has been used to develop a wide range of logical theories and systems, including modal logic, set theory, and logic programming. It has also been used to address practical problems in fields such as computer science, artificial intelligence, and law.

In conclusion, the semantic conception of logic is a philosophical framework that seeks to understand the meaning and interpretation of logical statements. It emphasizes the role of semantics in determining the truth-value of logical propositions and argues that logical validity is determined by the meanings of the logical symbols and the relations between them. While the semantic conception of logic has faced criticism, it remains a significant and influential philosophical framework that continues to be studied and debated by philosophers and logicians.

Weight: 445g
ISBN-13: 9781108435543