All thinkers

H. P. Grice: 2 ideas worth knowing

2 ideas from H. P. Grice, each explained in a minute and credited to the original work. Free on Savvy.

• Conversation runs on a hidden contract: assume everyone's trying to be useful

  Philosopher H.P. Grice argued conversation only works because speakers and listeners silently agree to be truthful, relevant, clear, and no more informative than necessary. Break o…

  — H. P. Grice, Logic and Conversation

• Grice: you mean more than the words you actually say

  Paul Grice noticed conversation runs on an unspoken deal: be as informative, honest, relevant and clear as the moment calls for. Say 'some of the cookies are gone' and listeners as…

  — H. P. Grice, Studies in the Way of Words

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