Introduction to Semantics

Spring 2015

Instructor: Adriana Todea

atodea@yahoo.com
Office hours: Monday 12 a.m. - 2 p.m.,
Alpha Centre room

Modality
If p is a logical proposition,
the reference (value) of p is its truth value (T/F)
p is evaluated T or F depending on the world coordinate
selected for its evaluation.
proposition p is a function from set of worlds (W) to truth
values
p: W={w0, w1, w2, w3, w4, w5, } {T,F}
p(w0)=1; p(w1)=0; p(w2)=1; p(w3)=1; p(w4)=1; p(w5)=0 ...
What is modality? It is a propositional operator that signals that
proposition p is evaluated not under one world coordinate w, but under
a set of world coordinates W (called modal base), generated by the
[[modalp]]W
conversational background.
A conversational background is described by the sentences it contains.

Epistemic modality
Epistemic modality- concerns the resources available to the speaker
to express judgement of fact versus possibility,
of situation as it is versus situation as it may be.
Certainty (epistemic necessity) vs. possibility
p
p
Madonna has received an anonymous letter in which she is mocked
for her singing abilities.
Madonna (to her friends): Pavarotti must have written this letter.
[[(x: Letter(x) )

Write(p,x) ]]W,t2 =1 iff

t1= time of utterance

[[ (x: Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]] w1, t2 =1;

t 2 < t1
W={w1, w2, w3}

[[ (x: Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]] w2, t2 =1;

[[ (x: Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]] w3, t2 =1.

Epistemic modality
W={w1, w2, w3} the possible worlds in the modal base are projected
by the sentences in the conversational background.
Wondering about who might have written the letter, Madonna and
her friends notice that
w1= in the letter some details are mentioned that only Pavarotti
could have known. [[ (x: Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]] w1, t2 =1;
w2= Madonna knows that Pavarotti is a practical joker.
[[ (x: Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]] w2, t2 =1;
w3= Madonna remembers that Pavarotti told her once jokingly that
[[ (x: Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]] w3, t2 =1;
she has no voice.
Madonna (the speaker) envisages all these alternative scenarios

Epistemic modality
Madonna (the speaker) envisages all these alternative scenarios (w1,
w2, w3) which generate a modal base. If the logical proposition
Pavarotti wrote this letter is true in all the possible worlds
contemplated, then the speaker is certain that the logical proposition
is true.
certainty= if in all the worlds contemplated by the speaker in the
conversational background the logical proposition p is true, then
the speaker is certain that p is true.
possibility= if in some of the worlds contemplated by the speaker
in the conversational background the logical proposition p is true,,
but in others false, then the speaker considers it possible that p is
true.

Epistemic modality
Madonna has received an anonymous letter in which she is mocked for
her singing abilities.
Madonna (to her friends): Pavarotti may/ might have written this
letter.
t1= time of utterance
[[(x:Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]]W,t2 =1
t2 < t 1
W={w1, w2, w4}
iff
w1= in the letter some details are mentioned that only Pavarotti
could have known. [[ (x: Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]] w1, t2 =1;
w2= Madonna knows that Pavarotti is a practical joker.
[[ (x: Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]] w2, t2 =1;
w4= The letter was sent from New York while Pavarotti was touring
[[ (x: Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]] w4, t2 =0;
in Japan.

Epistemic modality
Madonna (the speaker) envisages all these alternative scenarios (w1,
w2, w4) which generates a modal base. If the logical proposition
Pavarotti wrote this letter is true in most, but not in all, of the
possible worlds contemplated, then the speaker considers it likely
that the logical proposition is true.

Epistemic modality
Madonna has received an anonymous letter in which is is mocked for her
singing abilities.
Madonna (to her friends): Pavarotti could have written this letter.
[[(x:Letter(x))

Write(p,x) ]]W,t2 =1

t1= time of utterance

t2 < t 1
W={w1, w4, w5}

iff
w1= in the letter some details are mentioned that only Pavarotti
could have known. [[ (x: Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]] w1, t2 =1;

w4= the letter was sent from New York while Pavarotti was touring
[[ (x: Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]] w4, t2 =0;
in Japan.
w5= the letters handwriting does not resemble Pavarottis
[[ (x: Letter(x)) Write(p,x) ]] w5, t2 =0;

Epistemic modality
Madonna (the speaker) envisages all these alternative scenarios (w1,
w4, w5) which generate a modal base. If the logical proposition
Pavarotti wrote this letter is false in most of the possible worlds
contemplated, then the speaker considers it unlikely that the logical
proposition is true.

Deontic modality
Deontic modality- the expression of obligation and permission,
often in terms of morality and law, a projection
from the world as it is to the world as it should be under a moral
or legal code. The speaker is entertaining a set of idealized
scenarios.
Deontic modality: conformity or non-conformity to an ideal standard.

Obligation (deontic necessity) vs. permission

Op= obligatory that p
Pp= permitted that p
Obligation= true in all morally or legally ideal worlds contemplated.

Permission= true in some morally or legally ideal worlds contemplated.

Deontic modality
Ann saw Marys boyfriend kissing another girl at a party.
You(to a friend): Ann must tell Mary what she saw.=Op
Ann tells Mary what she saw=p
t1= time of utterance
W,t1
[[Op ]] =1
W={w1, w2}
iff
w1= Ann and Mary are friends and friends tell the truth.
[[p]] w1, t1 =1;
w2= It is not fair/ just for Marys boyfriend to get away with it .
[[p]] w2, t1 =1;
If in all ideal worlds from the modal base W contemplated p is true, then
the speaker feels that it is obligatory that p be true.

Deontic modality
Ann saw Marys boyfriend kissing another girl at a party.
You(to a friend): Ann may tell Mary what she saw.=Pp
[[Pp ]]

W,t1

=1

t1= time of utterance

W={w2, w3}

iff
w3= Marys relationship with her boyfriend is not Anns business
[[p]] w3, t1 =0;
w2= It is not fair/ just for Marys boyfriend to get away with it .
[[p]] w2, t1 =1;
If in some of the ideal worlds from the modal base W contemplated p is
true, but in others false, then the speaker feels that it is permitted that p
be true.

Circumstantial and ontological modality

ability- temporary vs. permanent.
Pavarotti (to Bono): Madonna cannot sing.
Madonna has no talent= permanent lack of ability
ontological modality

Doctor (to Madonnas agent): Madonna cannot sing.

Madonna has a sore throat.= temporary
lack of ability
circumstantial modality

Practice: Indicate the types of modality that can characterize the

following sentence. Give a clear, but brief, characterization of the
background conditions.
1. Cinderella cannot cook.
2. Cinderella must be at the ball.
3. Cinderella cannot dance with the prince.