The Head Gap

--- by JLS
------ for the GC

I WAS MEANING TO DROP SOMETHING on the head gap, and this final reference by Grice (in my "Salva Veritate", this blog) to propositions as truth-bearers and as 'essential carriers of truth-values' reminded me of the habit

--- (gestural)

HEAD MOVED up/down -- to mean ------> YES


HEAD MOVED sidewyas -- to mean -----> NO


While we elaborate on irony in gestural language, I was impressed that Strawson is possibly wrong about 'truth-value gaps'. If they were so basic, surely there would be a valid gestural way to contest:

"The present king of France is wise" (his example)

I move my head sideways -- I mean: No, he isn't.

I move my head up and down -- I mean: "Yes, he is" (i.e. I 'utter' something false).

But Strawson's idea, the third man -- that there is the option: 'The question does not arise' seems to require a movement of the head, or, as I may prefer, a 'head gap'. I wouldn't be suprised if I am reported that in some language in Magalasya (anti-Griceans always appeal to Magalasya for counterexamples) they do have a movement (of some part of the body) to mean precisely what Strawson think we should mean, on occasion.

(For Grice: if there is no King of France, it is true that "the king of France is not bald", and so, to the question, we have to move the head sideways.

Etc.