
Contents
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1. Introduction 1. Introduction
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2. Basic Conditions on Theories of Slurs 2. Basic Conditions on Theories of Slurs
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2.1. The Target Condition 2.1. The Target Condition
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2.2. The Linguistic Encoding of Derogation Condition 2.2. The Linguistic Encoding of Derogation Condition
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2.3. The Projection Condition 2.3. The Projection Condition
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2.4. The Compositionality Condition 2.4. The Compositionality Condition
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2.5. The Argument against Null Extension Non-Identity Theories 2.5. The Argument against Null Extension Non-Identity Theories
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3. Richard’s Reductio 3. Richard’s Reductio
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3.1. Richard’s Reductio and Analysis of Misrepresentation 3.1. Richard’s Reductio and Analysis of Misrepresentation
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3.2. Misrepresentations: Misplaced Affect and Its Impact on Truth 3.2. Misrepresentations: Misplaced Affect and Its Impact on Truth
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4. Three (Apparent) Problems about Truth for Expressivist Identity Theorists 4. Three (Apparent) Problems about Truth for Expressivist Identity Theorists
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4.1. The Frege’s Puzzle Argument 4.1. The Frege’s Puzzle Argument
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4.2. The Modal Conceivability Argument 4.2. The Modal Conceivability Argument
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4.3. The Frege-Geach Problem 4.3. The Frege-Geach Problem
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5. Conclusion 5. Conclusion
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Acknowledgments Acknowledgments
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Notes Notes
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References References
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6 The Truth about Slurs
Get accessRobin Jeshion, Professor of Philosophy, School of Philosophy, University of Southern California
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Published:22 May 2024
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Abstract
Linguistic theories of slurs confront a problem about truth. Identity theories are theories on which slurs and neutral counterparts are co-designating, and sentences containing them are truth-conditionally equivalent to sentences where the slur is replaced by its neutral counterpart. Identity theories immediately lead to disturbing consequences about truth. If slur S designates what its neutral counterpart NC designates, then since ‘there are NCs’ is true, so too is ‘there are Ss’. Pre-theoretically, this consequence appears unacceptable. To many, it appears to manifest bigotry and as such must get the facts wrong. Such consequences are one impetus for non-identity theories: Null extension non-identity theories, like those of Hom and May, on which slurs have an empty extension, and an alternative non-identity theory due to Richard, on which utterances with slurs lack truth value. This chapter offers novel arguments that non-identity theories are not superior accounts of slurs. It advances four conditions on a theory of slurs and argues that null extension non-identity theories are, in principle, unable to satisfy one of them, the Compositionality Condition. It shows why Richard’s rationale for denying truth to slur-containing utterances is unconvincing. Finally, it defends identity theories, especially expressivist versions, from the charge that they cannot accommodate data about Frege’s puzzle, conceivability, and a version of the Frege-Geach puzzle.
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