Humanities and Arts
A higher-order plurality solution to Xiang's (2021) puzzle
Abstract
Key Questions about Higher-Order Plurality and Collective Predicates
What is the semantic puzzle identified by Xiang (2021) regarding plural wh-questions with collective predicates?
Xiang (2021) noted that plural wh-questions involving certain collective predicates are predicted to carry a uniqueness presupposition, yet intuitively they do not. This observation presents a challenge for semantic theories that account for the behavior of such questions.
How does Xiang (2021) propose to solve this puzzle?
Xiang proposed that these plural wh-questions have 'higher-order readings' and that their answers name boolean conjunctions. This approach suggests that the questions are interpreted at a higher logical type, allowing for answers that are conjunctions of sets.
What is Buccola's critique of Xiang's (2021) solution?
Buccola argues that recourse to higher-order question readings is mistaken. He suggests that the puzzle should be solved with higher-order plurality, providing empirical justification for this approach. This perspective aligns with recent findings for declarative sentences, indicating that plural questions can be interpreted without invoking higher-order readings.
What empirical evidence supports Buccola's proposed solution?
Buccola provides empirical justification for the higher-order plurality approach by mirroring findings from declarative sentences. He references recent work by Buccola, Kuhn, and Nicolas (2021) that demonstrates how higher-order plurality can account for the behavior of plural questions without the need for higher-order readings.
What are the implications of this solution for semantic theory?
The proposed solution has significant implications for semantic theory, particularly in the analysis of plural questions and collective predicates. By resolving the puzzle through higher-order plurality, Buccola's approach suggests a more unified treatment of plural constructions, potentially simplifying the semantic analysis of such sentences.
By addressing these questions, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of the semantics of plural wh-questions and collective predicates, offering a solution that aligns with recent empirical findings in the field.
