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RIP Lecture: Manipulative Political Speech, Implicit Communication and the Perlocutionary

Wednesday 12 February 2014, 6.30PM to 8.00pm

Speaker(s): Professor Jennifer Saul, University of Sheffield

Further details about this event can be found on our web pages at:

http://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/public-lectures/spring-2014/manipulative-political/

Abstract:

In recent years, an increasing number of analytic philosophers have turned their attention to the very important and fascinating intersection of philosophy of language with politics.  In so doing, they have turned away from the thought that our primary concern should be with semantic content and truth conditions, or with how these are determined.  Instead, we see careful attention to the political implications of what is presupposed, or what is conversationally implicated; and even some who focus on semantic content are exploring the politics of this content.  This is an exciting and important development.  But it is my contention that this has not yet gone far enough.  We need to move beyond just a focus on content, however it’s conveyed—and indeed beyond just the conscious effects of our language use.  I will argue for this through a careful exploration of the under-investigated phenomenon of "dog whistles" or "code words".

For more information about the work of Jennifer Saul please visit her web pages at:

http://www.shef.ac.uk/philosophy/staff/profiles/saul

Location: University of York, Physics Exhibition Centre, P/L001

Admission: All welcome. No ticket required.