Solutions to Chapter 29 Ambiguity
Practice exercises
A. Each of the following sentences is ambiguous. Provide a symbolization key for each, and symbolize all readings.
-
1.
No one likes a quitter.
- domain:
-
people
- :
-
blank x is a quitter
- :
-
blank x likes blank y
(all quitters are disliked by everyone)
(A specific quitter is disliked by everyone)-
2.
CSI found only red hair at the scene.
- domain:
-
items of evidence
- :
-
blank x is red
- :
-
blank x is hair
- :
-
blank x found blank y (at the scene)
- :
-
CSI
(only hair was found, and it’s all red)
(only red hair was found, but possibly other things that aren’t hair)-
3.
Smith’s murderer hasn’t been arrested.
- domain:
-
people
- :
-
blank x has been arrested
- :
-
blank x murdered blank y
- :
-
Smith
(Smith’s murderer has: not been arrested)
(It’s not the case that Smith’s murderer has been arrested; in fact there may not be a “Smith’s murderer”.)