抄録
In this paper, I attempt to illuminate some unique and significant features of inferentialism: A pragmatist theory of meaning developed by Brandom (1994). Inferentialism is unique in that it explains not only the concept of meaning, but also that of representation, thoroughly in the pragmatist sprit. I argue that inferentialists are enabled to do this by their choice to use normative concepts, rather than the standard, causal-dispositional ones, at the base level of their pragmatics. After briefly surveying those criticisms directed at this normative basis of inferentialism, I point out one significant advantage that inferentialism can have in the attempt to dissolve an apparent incompatibility problem between content externalism and the a priori understanding of meaning.
