Watts, Daniel (2012) 'The Exemplification of Rules: An Appraisal of Pettit’s Approach to the Problem of Rule-following.' International Journal of Philosophical Studies, 20 (1). pp. 69-90. ISSN 0967-2559

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Abstract

This paper offers an appraisal of Phillip Pettit's approach to the problem how a merely finite set of examples can serve to represent a determinate rule, given that indefinitely many rules can be extrapolated from any such set. I argue that Pettits so-called ethocentric theory of rule-following fails to deliver the solution to this problem he sets out to provide. More constructively, I consider what further provisions are needed in order to advance Pettits general approach to the problem. I conclude that what is needed is an account that, whilst it affirms the view that agents responses are constitutively involved in the exemplification of rules, does not allow such responses the pride of place they have in Pettit's theory. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	rules; rule-following; Pettit; exemplification; the ethocentric theory; Kripke
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities Faculty of Humanities > Philosophy and Art History, School of
SWORD Depositor:	Elements
Depositing User:	Elements
Date Deposited:	29 Jun 2012 14:55
Last Modified:	15 Jan 2022 00:49
URI:	http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/2655

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