First among equals: co-hyperintensionality for structured propositions
Bjørn Jespersen · Synthese · 2020
Abstract Theories of structured meanings are designed to generate fine-grained meanings, but they are also liable toovergeneratestructures, thus drawing structural distinctions without a semantic difference. I recommend the proliferation of very fine-grained structures, so that we are able to draw any semantic distinctions we think we might need. But, in order to contain overgeneration, I argue we should insert some degree of individuation between logical equivalence and structural identity based onstructural isomorphism. The idea amounts to forming an equivalence class of different structures according to one or more formal criteria and designating a privileged element as a representative of all the elements, i.e., afirst among equals. The proposed method helps us to a cluster of notions ofco-hyperintensionality. As a test case, I consider a recent objection levelled against the act theory of structured propositions. I also respond to an objection against my methodology.