What the study found
The paper argues in favor of Reinachian internalism about speech acts: a speaker’s act does not depend on the hearer’s uptake in order to count as a speech act. It concludes that this view is preferable to externalism, which treats uptake as necessary for the act to exist as a speech act.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say this matters because internalism avoids the claim that the nature of an act can change retroactively based on future events. The study also suggests that Reinach’s view better preserves the distinction between performing an act and merely attempting one, and between motivating reasons and normative reasons.
What the researchers tested
The article is a philosophical defense of Reinach’s internalism about speech acts. It distinguishes between the performance of a speech act and its product, describing the former as an atomic event and the latter as a continuant, and then evaluates internalism against externalism through conceptual argument.
What worked and what didn't
The paper argues that Reinach’s internalism works because it avoids retroactive metaphysical effects, keeps performance distinct from attempted performance, and respects the difference between motivating and normative reasons. It argues that externalism conflicts with these three points.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe empirical data, experiments, or case studies. It also does not provide detailed objections, limitations, or a broader survey of competing views beyond the internalism/externalism contrast.
Key points
- The paper defends Reinachian internalism about speech acts.
- It argues that uptake from the addressee is not required for a speech act to count as performed.
- The authors say externalism leads to an implausible retroactive change in the nature of an act.
- The paper distinguishes the performance of a speech act from its product.
- It also distinguishes motivating reasons from normative reasons.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Reinach’s internalism is defended against externalism about speech acts
- Authors:
- Alessandro Salice
- Institutions:
- University College Cork
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-14
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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