When it comes to the modified numeral ‘more than n,’ its implicatures are influenced by the roundness of n. Scientific studies have provided evidence for this intriguing pattern and proposed explanations rooted in pragmatics and the approximate number system. However, until now, there has been no formal account to fully capture the listener’s posterior distribution over numbers after hearing ‘more than n.’ In this study, researchers have developed a groundbreaking account within the Rational Speech Act framework to quantitatively reconstruct the rational listener’s pragmatic reasoning. They argue that knowledge about the distribution of the true quantity significantly impacts the information conveyed by the modified numeral. Moreover, their pragmatic account, combined with a heavy-tailed model of participants’ prior beliefs, accurately predicts various features of experimental data. This research sheds light on the complex interplay between language, pragmatics, and numerical cognition. To dig deeper into this intriguing topic, check out the full article!
Abstract
The pattern of implicatures of the modified numeral “more than n” depends on the roundness of n. Cummins et al. (2012) present experimental evidence for the relation between roundness and implicature patterns and propose a pragmatic account of the phenomenon. More recently, Hesse and Benz (2020) present more extensive evidence showing that implicatures also depend on the magnitude of n and propose a novel explanation based on the approximate number system (Dehaene, 1999). Despite the wealth of experimental data, no formal account has yet been proposed to characterize the full posterior distribution over numbers of a listener after hearing “more than n.” We develop one such account within the Rational Speech Act framework, quantitatively reconstructing the pragmatic reasoning of a rational listener. We argue that world knowledge about the distribution of the true quantity has a substantial impact on the information conveyed by the modified numeral. We show that our pragmatic account in combination with a heavy-tailed model of the participants’ prior correctly predicts various features of the experimental data from Hesse and Benz (2020).
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.