1.1 KiB
1.1 KiB
On the subtext of a predicate
Predicates are not atomic. They do not come single spies, but freighted with battalions of inferable subtexts. Suppose Anthony says
Brutus killed Caesar in Rome during the ides of March
I learn more than just that 'Brutus killed Caesar in Rome during the ides of March'. I also learn that
- Brutus is a killer
- Caesar has been killed
- Rome is a place where killings happen
- The ides of March are a time to be extra cautious
Suppose Drusilla now says
Longus killed Caesar in Rome during the ides of March
this casts doubt on Anthony's primary claim, and on the belief that Brutus is a killer; but it reinforces the beliefs that
- Caesar has been killed
- Rome is a place where killings happen
- The ides of March are a time to be extra cautious.
If Falco then says
No, I heard from Gaius that it happened in April
the beliefs that
- Caesar has been killed
- Rome is a place where killings happen
are still further strengthened.
In proposing a formalism to express predicates, we need to consider how it allows this freight to be unpacked.