論主張：真值、規範與對話理的難題

On Assertion: Truth, Norms and the Problems of Discourse Theory

本文探討一般性的主張概念，也就是主張概念家族所共有的形式結構。這個一般性概念不但可以讓我們看到對話理論所面臨的問題，建構這個概念的方法還可以幫助我們分析一般性的規範概念。以重構的言語行為理論和解釋的意義原則為分析工具，本文歸納出三種主張理論：客體理論、意圖理論和制度理論。客體理論和意圖理論都預設而非解釋了何謂宣稱某命題內容為真，因而無法解釋主張這種言語行為的意義。制度理論則是將主張解釋為以命題內容為驗證規則的驗證遊戲，驗證的結果決定遊戲的勝負，也就是主張的真假。制度理論可以涵蓋主張遊戲的不同使用方式，因而適於作為一般性的主張概念。最後本文在制度理論的基礎上說明兩個命題：第一，對話理論的主張概念是一個在制度理論上添加道德要素的特殊制度理論。然而這偏離了一般性的主張概念，繼而降低了對話理論所欲證成之道德規範的普遍性。第二，一般性的規範概念並非某種命題內容，而和主張一樣是某種言語行為。

This paper investigates the general concept of assertion, i.e. the formal structure shared by the family of the concepts of assertion. I argue that this concept elucidates the problem of discourse theory, and the method used to construct such concept is also conducive to analyzing the general concept of norm. The analysis adopts the reconstructed speech act theory and the explanatory principle of meaning to outline three types of theories of assertion, including object theory, intention theory, and institution theory. Both object theory and intention theory presuppose what it means to claim the truth of a propositional content without further explanation. Consequently it is difficult to explain the meaning of assertions as speech acts. On the other hand, assertions are interpreted by the institution theory as verification games. Propositional content constitutes the verification rules of these games, and the outcomes of the verifications determine the results of the games, i.e. the truth or falsehood of assertions. The institution theory covers various ways of playing assertion games and is on this account adequate for the general concept of assertion. This paper will conclude with two theses through the perspective of institution theory. First, the concept of assertion in discourse theory is a specific kind of institution theory. It is burdened with moral elements and deviated from the general concept of assertion. Thus, the universality of the moral norms that the discourse theory aims to justify will be reduced. Second, the general concept of norm is not a type of propositional content but a type of speech act similar to assertions.