Radical Interpretation

Radical Interpretation is a philosophical idea about understanding how we interpret the meanings of others' words and actions without any prior knowledge of their language or mental states. Imagine trying to figure out what someone from an entirely different culture is saying and thinking, solely based on their observable behavior. The goal is to see how we can reliably assign meanings and understand intentions through careful interpretation, even without initial familiarity. It explores how communication and understanding are possible from scratch, emphasizing the importance of context, behavior, and reasoning in establishing shared meaning.