Bergstrom, Carl and Huttegger, Simon and Zollman, Kevin J.S. (2020) Signals without teleology. [Preprint]

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Abstract

"Signals" are a conceptual apparatus in many scientific disciplines. Biologists inquire about the evolution of signals, economists talk about the signaling function of purchases and prices, and philosophers discuss the conditions under which signals acquire meaning. However, little attention has been paid to what is a signal. This paper is an attempt to fill this gap with a definition of signal that avoids reference to form or purpose. Along the way we introduce novel notions of "information revealing" and "information concealing" moves in games. In the end, our account offers an alternative to teleological accounts of communication.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Bergstrom, Carl cbergst@uw.edu 0000-0002-2070-385X Huttegger, Simon shuttegg@uci.edu Zollman, Kevin J.S. kzollman@andrew.cmu.edu 0000-0001-9776-1890
Keywords:	Signaling, teleosemantics, meaning
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology Specific Sciences > Economics General Issues > Game Theory
Depositing User:	Dr. Kevin Zollman
Date Deposited:	26 May 2020 03:33
Last Modified:	26 May 2020 03:33
Item ID:	17219
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology Specific Sciences > Economics General Issues > Game Theory
Date:	20 May 2020
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/17219

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