Talk by Lawrence Cavedon and Sheila Glasbey
The Role of Context in the Interpretation of Generics
We argue that {\em context\/} plays an important role when interpreting generic
sentences. In particular, we use examples to show that normative approaches (upon which logics of
normality are based) to generics have some fundamental problems related to scope. We use Barwise
and Seligman's {\em channel theory\/}---a model of information-flow based on ideas from situation
theory---as a basis for an analysis of generics that provides a context for each generic sentence
and thereby avoids the problems raised. The channel-theoretic analysis provides the basis for a
framework for reasoning both {\em with\/} generics (about the default properties of individuals)
and {\em about\/} them (to infer new generics). Modelling the context of a generic also allows us
to model the sort of misunderstandings that may occur in a dialogue, whereby a listener
misinterprets the scope of an uttered generic sentence.
Paul Dekker, November 2, 1995