Stalnaker's Thesis

Stalnaker's Thesis suggests that when we understand a statement, we interpret it based on our shared knowledge or context with the speaker. Essentially, our grasp of language isn't just about the literal words but also involves knowing what is presupposed or assumed in conversation. The meaning of an utterance depends on the common background information, enabling us to infer intentions and implications beyond just the explicit content. This emphasizes that communication relies heavily on context and shared understanding, making meaning a dynamic, conversational process rather than solely a matter of individual words or sentences.