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Interpreting action as an answer

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to introduce a logically grounded approach to action semantics and action interpretation. The main idea is to present the context of action as a set of questions demanding an action to answer. I introduce (a) a basic procedure of action interpretation, which is a reformulation of Hilpinen's semantical procedure for imperatives; (b) a procedure of what-interpretation; (c) a procedure of why-interpretation. The conditions of mutual reducibility of interpretation procedures are explicated. The paper concludes by putting forth the problem of interpretive bounds of moral responsibility.

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Vasylchenko, A. Interpreting action as an answer. Synthese 100, 39–48 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01063920

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01063920

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