Convention: A Philosophical Study

Foreword by W.V. Quine.

Introduction.

I. Coordination and Convention.

Sample Coordination Problems.

Analysis of Coordination Problems.

Solving Coordination Problems.

Convention.

Sample Conventions.

II. Convention Refined.

Common Knowledge.

Knowledge of Conventions.

Alternatives to Convention.

Degrees of Convention.

Consequences of Conventions.

III. Convention Contrasted.

Agreement.

Social Contracts.

Norms.

Rules.

Conformative Behavior.

Imitation.

Meaning of Signals.

IV. Convention and Communication.

Sample Signals.

Analysis of Signaling.

Verbal Signaling.

Conventional Meaning of Signals.

V. Conventions of Language.

Possible Languages.

Grammars.

Semantics in a Possible Language.

Conventions of Truthfulness.

Semantics in a Population.

Conclusion.

Index.