Analysis of Belief Reports Using Conceptual Role Semantics

Abstract

    This paper aims to analyze the content expressed by a belief report, which is a sort of assertions, in terms of Conceptual Role Semantics (CRS). CRS focuses on normative aspects of assertions called “conceptual roles.” According to CRS, the conceptual role of an assertion, which is a pair of entitlement and commitment of the assertion, is nothing but its semantic content. Since CRS is holistic, this paper focuses on the relevant notion of whole. In this paper, the individualistic notion of whole (narrow content theory) and the social notion of whole (wide content theory) are compared by analyzing belief reports. I will argue that the wide content theory is a better alternative than narrow content theory.