Abstract
Multidimensional adjectives are ubiquitous in natural language. An adjective F is multidimensional just in case whether F applies to an object or pair of objects depends on how those objects stand with respect to multiple underlying dimensions of F-ness. Developing a semantics for multidimensional adjectives requires us to address the problem of dimensional aggregation: how do the application conditions of an adjective F
in its positive and comparative forms depend on its underlying
dimensions? Here we develop a semantics for multidimensional adjectives
that incorporates aggregation functions. We then explore an analogy
between dimensional aggregation and preference aggregation, bringing
results from social choice theory to bear on the number and kind of
aggregation functions which are admissible in a context. These results
suggest that, for any given adjective, there will often be multiple
aggregation functions admissible, meaning that multidimensional
comparatives are often vague.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Number of pages | 25 |
Journal | Australasian Journal of Philosophy |
Volume | Latest Articles |
Early online date | 28 Nov 2023 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 28 Nov 2023 |
Keywords
- Gradable adjectives
- Multidimensionality
- Aggregation
- Vagueness
- Social choice theory