Semantics for Means-End Ascriptions
Jesse W. Hughes · 2004
This research forms part of the NWO Norms in Knowledge project. One of the main aims of this project is the formalization of artifactual functions. Artifacts are typically intended for certain uses. A toaster makes toast and a lighter creates small fires. These are the primary functions of toasters and lighters, respectively. We aim to provide a conceptual analysis of such functions via formal semantics. That is, we wish to construct a logical language in which functional ascriptions to artifacts can be expressed and a corresponding semantics which assigns meanings to such statements. We present today the initial steps to this goal.