Communication Using Interperspectival Contents

Abstract

The problem we encounter with any semantic theory that expresses perspectival content is that when we engage in communication we of necessity communicate with people in other perspectival positions. So, for example, we often speak with people in different physical locations. Sometimes, we communicate across time, e.g. by leaving messages, and we often report on thoughts and comments made at an earlier time. Unless we are talking to ourselves, we also communicate with other persons, who are, obviously, in different perspectival positions. This chapter explores how people routinely communicate across such perspectival positions. The same interperspectival content is expressed in different ways in different perspectival contents. A theory of cognitive dynamics is developed which explains how these modes of expression are coordinated.