CECODISP: Conceptual Engineering and Communicative Disruptions: between Semantics and Pragmatics

Concepts are fundamental to how we think and communicate, yet many—such as ‘race’, ‘gender’, ‘marriage’, and ‘truth’, to name but a few—may appear to be flawed or outdated. These conceptual shortcomings call for evaluation and revision, a process at the heart of ‘conceptual engineering’ in analytic philosophy. By critically examining and reforming concepts, conceptual engineering aims to improve reasoning, social justice, and scientific clarity.

CECODISP addresses the complex challenges arising from conceptual revision, particularly the ‘change of subject’ problem and its associated communicative disruptions. This challenge occurs when revisions alter a concept’s definition or application so profoundly that it appears to be about something entirely different. This can cause theoretical problems concerning a concept’s identity and practical difficulties in communication, inquiry, and decision-making.

Our project posits that these challenges can be mitigated through enhanced ‘metalinguistic awareness’—the ability to recognize, reflect upon, and navigate changes in meaning and usage. Drawing insights from both philosophy and psycholinguistics, CECODISP develops frameworks and strategies to support theorists and language users in managing conceptual change responsibly and effectively.