Tradition and Conceptual Dynamics According to an Inferentialist Theory of Meaning

Abstract

In this article I develop a conceptual dynamical account from an inferentialist theory of meaning and content; thus illuminating the connection between conceptual dynamics and tradition. The inferentialist theory taken into account here is that of Robert Brandom. While expanding on Brandom’s notion of scorekeeping, I claim that insufficiency, and sometimes even inability, to differentiate and navigate between past heritage and present discourse is of the essence of highly traditional discourses; creating a unique type of conceptual dynamics which is commonplace mainly within religious traditional discourses. This claim is supported by a case study from a Jewish traditional discourse.