Work

Referential Understanding, Luck, and Knowledge of Reference

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In some cases of communication, the hearer misunderstands the referential part of the speaker's utterance although she identifies the speaker's referent. What more is needed for referential understanding? One view is that the hearer must know what the speaker refers to. Against this view, this article argues that knowledge of reference is not necessary for referential understanding, because of differences between understanding and knowledge in the tolerance of luck. Whereas both referential understanding and knowledge are incompatible with one type of luck—intervening luck—referential understanding is less sensitive than knowledge to another type of luck—environmental luck.

Source: Philosophy and Phenomenological Research

DOI: 10.1111/phpr.70045

Author: Victor Tamburini

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Collège de France, Institut Jean Nicod

Language: English

Topic: Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics

Subfield: Philosophy

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,900

Funder: European Research Council