Expressive Communication and Origins of Meaning

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ID: 338272
2026
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Abstract
Abstract In Chapter 3, it is argued that, when trying to address the hard problem of the origins of meaning, our starting point should be a proper theoretical understanding of the non-Gricean capacity that we adult humans share with both preverbal humans and many nonhuman animals—a capacity to express mental states through various behaviors. After explaining what this capacity involves, key features that render it directly relevant to our puzzle are highlighted. Not the least among these is the fact that expressive communication—by design—involves communicators sharing psychological states openly. However, expressive communication need not require the issuing and interpreting of utterances with Gricean speaker meaning. The signals used in expressive communication (vocal, facial, gestural, postural) only have crude meanings; as such, they can be understood as reflecting merely non-Gricean (“brute”) thoughts that lack language-like structure and content. And expressive communicators need not be in possession of a capacity for Gricean ‘mindreading’; they can rely on a more basic, practical capacity for mind-minding.
Reference Key
openalex_W7225137110 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Dorit Bar‐On
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Journal Oxford University Press eBooks
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/9780191862564.003.0003
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/9780191862564.003.0003
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