Language and know-how

Authors

David I. Simpson, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

34611

Publication Details

Simpson, D. I. (2010). Language and know-how. Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences, 9 (4), 629-643.

Abstract

I address the assumption that communicative interaction is made possible by knowledge of a language. I argue that this assumption as it is usually expressed depends on an unjustified reification of language, and on an unsatisfactory understanding of ‘knowledge’. I propose instead that communicative interaction is made possible by (Rylean) know-how and by the development of (Davidsonian) passing theories. We then come to see that our focus ought to be, not on propositional knowledge of a language which we internally represent, but on the practical application of know-how in our understanding and interpretation of others.