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On the scope and nature of Maximise Presupposition
Author(s) -
Bade Nadine
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
language and linguistics compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.619
H-Index - 44
ISSN - 1749-818X
DOI - 10.1111/lnc3.12416
Subject(s) - presupposition , focus (optics) , epistemology , scope (computer science) , inference , linguistics , pragmatics , philosophy , sociology , computer science , psychology , physics , optics , programming language
Abstract The paper introduces the principle Maximise Presupposition and its cognates. The main focus of the literature and this article is on the inferences that arise as a result of reasoning with Maximise Presupposition (‘anti‐presuppositions’). I will review the arguments put forward for distinguishing them from other inference types, most notably presuppositions and conversational implicatures. I will zoom in on three main issues regarding Maximise Presupposition and these inferences critically discussed in the literature: epistemic strength(ening), projection, and the role of alternatives. I will discuss more recent views which argue for either a uniform treatment of anti‐presuppositions and implicatures and/or a revision of the original principle in light of new data and developments in pragmatics.