At this address (pdf format): http://www.lucs.lu.se/ftp/pub/LUCS_Studies/Lucs91.pdf
(This article is not relevance-theoretic, but does suggest evolutionary and cognitive implications of human cooperation by means of symbolic codes. I thought some of the members of the list may be interested)
Lund University Cognitive Studies 91 (2002)
Cooperation and the Evolution of Symbolic Communication
Peter Gärdenfors
Peter.Gardenfors@lucs.lu.se
Abstract: Humans are the only animals who can deliberately plan for future needs. Our ability to have a "theory of mind" is also a factor that facilitates advanced forms of cooperation and communication. The main thesis of this article is that symbolic communication evolved in order to make cooperation about future goals possible.
A consequence of this position is that the meanings of symbolic expressions emerge from the cooperation between individuals. I will discuss how constraints on semantic representations evolve through processes of cooperative sharing of knowledge and plans. As a paradigmatic case, I describe pragmatic settings of referential communication and provide a model of how the roles of names, nouns and adjectives can be explained by a process of abstraction that is based on principles of cognitive economy.
Cordially,
Dr. Francisco Yus
University of Alicante
Department of English Studies
Apartado 99
E-03080 Alicante (Spain)
www.ua.es/dfing/personal/profs/yus.htm
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