Abstract
In this contribution, we offer an original analysis of the relation between control structures, de se readings and Immunity to Error through Misidentification. We propose that control structures are the result of an operation of Thematic Overwriting (TO), which conflates two thematic roles into one and delivers a logical representation whereby two properties are predicated of a unique argument. The account we propose explains a number of facts concerning control structures: (i) The fact that control structures are bound to the expression of de se attitudes; (ii) that fact that some control structures – more precisely, those control structures involving an Experiencer subject – are bound to the expression of implicit de se attitudes, that is, de se propositional attitudes that are immune to error through misidentification; (iii) the contrast between optional and non-optional control; (iv) the contrast between partial and exhaustive control. The account we propose also predicts a diachronic constraint on the emergence of control structures, whereby TO first emerges in the context of implicit de se attitudes and only later is extended to other de se contexts. This prediction is supported by the attested development of control structures from Old English (OE) through early Modern English (ENE) and Middle English (ME) to Modern English.
About the authors
Denis Delfitto graduated in philosophy and linguistics at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa. From 1990 to 2001 he was Associate Professor at the Utrecht University and from 1996 to 2001 he coordinated the syntax/semantics research group at the Utrecht Institute of Linguistics. Since November 2001 he is Full Professor in General Linguistics at the Department of Humanities of the University of Verona. His research interests include the systems of interpretation in natural language, language impairment and many topics in the philosophy of language and mind.
Gaetano Fiorin graduated in linguistics at Utrecht University and at the University of Verona. Since 2001, he is lecturer in linguistics and logic at University College Utrecht and researcher at the Utrecht institute of Linguistics. His research interests include theoretical linguistics (in particular, model-theoretic semantics and the syntax-semantics interface), experimental linguistic (in particular, language development, language impairments, and multilingualism) and the philosophy of language (in particular, the metaphysics of meaning).
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