Metaphysics, Language, and Epistemology Group

Abstract: Knowledge Maximization is the metasemantic thesis according to which the meanings of linguistic expressions used by and the contents of mental states had by an individual are those that maximize the knowledge of the individual. Knowledge maximization is first mentioned in Tim Williamson's Knowledge and its Limits and receives an extended defence and rationale in The Philosophy of Philosophy. In this paper, I use Williamson’s defence and rationale for Knowledge Maximization to defend a logically stronger metasemantic condition on interpretation, Understanding Maximization. The paper proceeds as follows. [1] I briefly rehearse Williamson’s defence and general rationale for Knowledge Maximization and highlight the normative perspective on metasemantics it instantiates. [2] I bring this normative perspective to bear on interpreting Tyler Burge’s thought experiments for semantic externalism, with a first application to Burge’s well-known ‘arthritis’ thought experiment for social externalism, from ‘Individualism and the Mental'. [3] Next, I discuss the application to his less well-known ‘sofa’ thought experiment for (what I call) intellectual externalism, from ‘Intellectual Norms and the Foundation of Mind'. [4] Finally, from here, I argue that Understanding Maximization is a genuine extension and strengthening of Knowledge Maximization by arguing that understanding is not just more knowledge, even of a semantic kind, but a proprietary kind and quality of knowledge.

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_{Metaphysics and Epistemology Group Convenors: Nick Jones, Mona Simion, Bernhard Salow and Alex Kaiserman}