Between Logic and the World

An Integrated Theory of Generics

Bernhard Nickel

Original work from a leading expert in the field
At the interface of philosophy and linguistics
An integrated theory of complex linguistic phenomena
Does not presuppose any technical background; all technical discussion is laid out in appendices

Between Logic and the World

An Integrated Theory of Generics

Bernhard Nickel

Description

Between Logic and the World presents a theory of generic sentences and the kind-directed modes of thought they express. The theory closely integrates compositional semantics with metaphysics to solve the problem that generics pose: what do generics mean? Generic sentences are extremely simple, yet if there are patterns to be discerned in terms of which are true and which are false, these patterns are subtle and complex. Ravens are black, lions have manes, sea-turtles are long-lived, and bishops in chess move along diagonals. Statistical measures cannot do justice to the facts, but what else is there that at least has a hope of giving us insight into what we are capturing across so many domains? Bernhard Nickel argues that generics are the top of a fundamentally explanatory iceberg. By focusing on blackness in ravens and manes in lions, for instance, we can place the kinds into a framework structured by explanatory considerations. Between Logic and the World argues that this explanatory framework is deeply intertwined with the semantics of the language we use to express them, and in giving its integrated semantic and metaphysical theory of generics, it aims to solve old puzzles and draw attention to new phenomena.

Between Logic and the World

An Integrated Theory of Generics

Bernhard Nickel

1:Introduction
2:Genericity and Generics
I: Semantics
3:The Basic Semantics
4:Other Recent Work
5:Logical Complexity
6:Genericity and Gradability
II: Normality
7:A Definition of Normality
8:Linguistics—A Case Study
9:Coda: Onward, Upward, Inward, Outward
III: Appendices
A:Formal Results and Implementations
B:A Detailed Presentation of Free Choice Inferences

Between Logic and the World

An Integrated Theory of Generics

Bernhard Nickel

Author Information

Bernhard Nickel, Harvard University

Bernhard Nickel is Professor of Philosophy at Harvard University. His research interests lie in the philosophy of language and linguistics.

Between Logic and the World

An Integrated Theory of Generics

Bernhard Nickel

Reviews and Awards

"Nickel's ability to thoughtfully connect issues in compositional semantics with those in philosophy of language and metaphysics makes the book an exciting read, and one to be recommended to any reader interested in those interfaces, not solely those interested in generics. Of course, for anybody interested in generics and genericity, the book is essential and insightful reading. ... Nickel's view is the clearest and most comprehensive extant defence of optimism about the metaphysics of genericity. Anybody with an interest in that project must read Between Logic and the World, and all subsequent discussion of metaphysical genericity should start with his work. Whether or not one endorses Nickel's views, his discussion contains a multitude of important insights about generics and genericity." - David Liebesman, Mind

"Nickel's book offers a rich, novel approach to theorizing about generics, and cutting edge theories of their semantics and associated metaphysics. The book succeeds at lifting the level of philosophical, methodological and technical sophistication of the subject matter. Anyone interested in philosophy of language, metaphysics or the connections between them will profit greatly from reading it." - Rachel Katharine Sterken, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews Online