My research consists of two projects: one about ways in which we semantically express evaluative attitudes; one about the ways in which we non-semantically display evaluative attitudes. In the former -- my dissertation project -- I give an account of evaluation according to which evaluative thought locates us in evaluative space, a space which has a lot of dimensions. In the latter, I give an account of the connection between social norms and socially significant language.
Under review. Drafts available upon request.
Thick as thin. Argues that thick terms lack descriptive entailments.
Beyond Language: Slurs and Social Norms. Argues that the best way to explain the range of situations in which slurring has a distinctive impact is by reference to our investment in social norms.
Damn. Argues that swearing displays our emotional states without semantically expressing them, by violating social norms of a peculiar sort: norms that are meant to be broken.
The Normative Common Ground: Expectations, Presupposition, and the Communicative Function of Blaming. Develops a normative analogue of the common ground, and argues that one of the functions of blame is to update it. With Taylor Madigan. (R&R, revisions in progress)
In progress.
Separability as Factorizability. Formally characterizes a notion, 'separability', that has taken center stage in discussions of the thick. Some upshots of the picture: (in)separability is a property of discourses as well as of meanings and mental states, and the question whether a concept is separable is distinct from questions about analysis and entailment.
The acquaintance inference and the structure of evaluative discourse. Argues that the acquaintance inference is due to a mismatch between the way that the relationship between factual and nonfactual content is represented personally and interpersonally. (In the language of the above blurb: mental states are separable; discourses are inseparable.)
Expressing generalizations. Develops an account of generalizing states of mind according to which they are not fully factual, and argues that generic sentences express such states of mind. With Milan Mossé.
Slurs are pronunciation sensitive. Argues that the degree to which slurs have a distinctive impact is sensitive to the way they are pronounced, and argues that this is best explained in terms of social norms. With Elek Lane.
Anger and Genocide. Argues that anger is valuable because it plays an important role in motivating rescuers in genocidal societies, and argues that this role couldn't be played as well by nearby emotions.