About the book
A novel cognitive theory of semantics that proposes that the meanings of words can be described in terms of geometric structures.
In The Geometry of Meaning, Peter Gärdenfors proposes a theory of semantics that bridges cognitive science and linguistics and shows how theories of cognitive processes, in particular concept formation, can be exploited in a general semantic model. He argues that our minds organize the information involved in communicative acts in a format that can be modeled in geometric or topological terms—in what he terms conceptual spaces, extending the theory he presented in an earlier book by that name.
Many semantic theories consider the meanings of words as relatively stable and independent of the communicative context. Gärdenfors focuses instead on how various forms of communication establish a system of meanings that becomes shared between interlocutors. He argues that these “meetings of mind” depend on the underlying geometric structures, and that these structures facilitate language learning. Turning to lexical semantics, Gärdenfors argues that a unified theory of word meaning can be developed by using conceptual spaces. He shows that the meaning of different word classes can be given a cognitive grounding, and offers semantic analyses of nouns, adjectives, verbs, and prepositions. He also presents models of how the meanings of words are composed to form new meanings and of the basic semantic role of sentences. Finally, he considers the future implications of his theory for robot semantics and the Semantic Web.
Editions of The Geometry of Meaning
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780262026789
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780262533751
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262319577
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262319584
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262319591
Read an Excerpt
A novel cognitive theory of semantics that proposes that the meanings of words can be described in terms of geometric structures.
In The Geometry of Meaning, Peter Gärdenfors proposes a theory of semantics that bridges cognitive science and linguistics and shows how theories of cognitive processes, in particular concept formation, can be exploited in a general semantic model. He argues that our minds organize the information involved in communicative acts in a format that can be modeled in geometric or topological terms—in what he terms conceptual spaces, extending the theory he presented in an earlier book by that name.
Many semantic theories consider the meanings of words as relatively stable and independent of the communicative context. Gärdenfors focuses instead on how various forms of communication establish a system of meanings that becomes shared between interlocutors. He argues that these “meetings of mind” depend on the underlying geometric structures, and that these structures facilitate language learning. Turning to lexical semantics, Gärdenfors argues that a unified theory of word meaning can be developed by using conceptual spaces. He shows that the meaning of different word classes can be given a cognitive grounding, and offers semantic analyses of nouns, adjectives, verbs, and prepositions. He also presents models of how the meanings of words are composed to form new meanings and of the basic semantic role of sentences. Finally, he considers the future implications of his theory for robot semantics and the Semantic Web.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Geometry of Meaning about?
A novel cognitive theory of semantics that proposes that the meanings of words can be described in terms of geometric structures.
In The Geometry of Meaning, Peter Gärdenfors proposes a theory of semantics that bridges cognitive science and linguistics and shows how theories of cognitive processes, in particular concept formation, can be exploited in a general semantic model. He argues that our minds organize the information involved in communicative acts in a format that can be modeled in geometric or topological terms—in what he terms conceptual spaces, extending the theory he presented in an earlier book by that name.
Many semantic theories consider the meanings of words as relatively stable and independent of the communicative context. Gärdenfors focuses instead on how various forms of communication establish a system of meanings that becomes shared between interlocutors. He argues that these “meetings of mind” depend on the underlying geometric structures, and that these structures facilitate language learning. Turning to lexical semantics, Gärdenfors argues that a unified theory of word meaning can be developed by using conceptual spaces. He shows that the meaning of different word classes can be given a cognitive grounding, and offers semantic analyses of nouns, adjectives, verbs, and prepositions. He also presents models of how the meanings of words are composed to form new meanings and of the basic semantic role of sentences. Finally, he considers the future implications of his theory for robot semantics and the Semantic Web.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Geometry of Meaning?
Language and Linguistics > Linguistics > Semantics, discourse analysis, stylistics
Where can I read a sample of The Geometry of Meaning?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780262026789
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Geometry of Meaning?
Peter Gardenfors
Who is the Publisher of the book The Geometry of Meaning?
MIT Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Geometry of Meaning is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780262026789) and paperback(ISBN 9780262533751) and ebook(ISBN 9780262319577) and ebook(ISBN 9780262319584) and ebook(ISBN 9780262319591)
Where can I buy The Geometry of Meaning online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy The Geometry of Meaning?