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Assistant Professor in
Philosophy Texas Tech University Papers Department of Philosophy Texas Tech University Box 43092 Lubbock, TX 79409-3092 |
christopher.hom@ttu.edu 806.742.0373 (Ext. 335) 265D Philosophy |
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The Semantics of
Racial Epithets (forthcoming, Journal of Philosophy) - PDF Racial epithets are
derogatory expressions, understood to convey contempt toward their
targets. But what do they
actually mean, if anything?
While the prevailing view is that epithets are to be explained
pragmatically, I argue that a careful consideration of the data strongly
supports a particular semantic theory.
I call this view Combinatorial Externalism (CE). CE holds that epithets express complex properties that are
determined by the discriminatory practices and stereotypes of their
corresponding racist institutions.
Depending on the character of the institution, the complex semantic
value can be composed of a variety of components. The account has significant implications on theoretical,
as well as, practical dimensions, providing new arguments against radical
contextualism, and for the exclusion of certain epithets from First Amendment
speech protection. |
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