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Persuasive presuppositions

Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: A recurrent claim, coming from different approaches to pragmatics, argumentation theory and related disciplines, is that informative presuppositions have a special persuasive force. My aim in this paper is threefold: first, it is to achieve a better understanding of this claim. I argue that we should carefully distinguish between persuasion, which involves forming a belief, and accommodation, which requires acceptance of a proposition for the purpose of the conversation. Consequently, we should distinguish between the persuasive force of presuppositions and a different claim concerning our tendency to accommodate presuppositions. Second, I briefly discuss the evidence available for these claims, from the perspective of the distinction introduced. Finally, I argue that the Stalnakerian approach to presuppositions has the resources needed to offer an account of their persuasive force.
DOI: 10.1016/j.pragma.2023.04.004
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,660
OpenAlex ID: W4382338768
FWCI: 5.694
Cites: 49
Cited by: 5
Related to: 10