A new framework that shows how to derive the meaning of an utterance from first principles by modeling it as a system of interdependent games. In Language and Equilibrium, Prashant Parikh offers a new account of meaning for natural language. He argues that equilibrium, or balance among multiple interacting forces, is a key attribute of language and meaning and shows how to derive the meaning of an utterance from first principles by modeling it as a system of interdependent games. His account results in a novel view of semantics and pragmatics and describes how both may be integrated with syntax. It considers many aspects of meaning--including literal meaning and implicature--and advances a detailed theory of definite descriptions as an application of the framework. Language and Equilibrium is intended for a wide readership in the cognitive sciences, including philosophers, linguists, and artificial intelligence researchers as well as neuroscientists, psychologists, and economists interested in language and communication. In Language And Equilibrium, Prashant Parikh Offers A New Account Of Meaning For Natural Language. He Argues That Equilibrium, Or Balance Among Multiple Interacting Forces, Is A Key Attribute Of Language And Meaning And Shows How To Derive The Meaning Of An Utterance From First Principles By Modeling It As A System Of Interdependent Games. His Account Results In A Novel View Of Semantics And Pragmatics And Describes How Both May Be Integrated With Syntax. It Considers Many Aspects Of Meaning - Including Literal Meaning And Implicature - And Advances A Detailed Theory Of Definite Descriptions As An Application Of The Framework. Language And Equilibrium Is Intended For A Wide Readership In The Cognitive Sciences, Including Philosophers, Linguists, And Artificial Intelligence Researchers As Well As Neuroscientists, Psychologists, And Economists Interested In Language And Communication.--jacket. List Of Figures -- Acknowledgments -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Information, Meaning, And Language -- 3. Situated Choice -- 4. Equilibrium Semantics -- 5. Indeterminacy -- 6. Noun Phrases -- 7. Conclusion -- Appendix A. The Mathematical Model -- Appendix B. An Exercise -- References -- Index. Prashant Parikh. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [329]-337) And Index. In this work, Prashant Parikh offers a new account of meaning for natural language. He argues that equilibrium, or balance among multiple interacting forces, is a key attribute of language and meaning and shows how to derive the meaning of an utterance from first principles by modelling it as a system of interdependent games. Contents 10 List of Figures 12 Acknowledgments 14 1 Introduction 16 2 Information, Meaning, and Language 52 3 Situated Choice 86 4 Equilibrium Semantics 138 5 Indeterminacy 210 6 Noun Phrases 246 7 Conclusion 298 Appendix A: The Mathematical Model 318 Appendix B: An Exercise 342 References 344 Index 354
