Grice: Meaning and Implicature [Rigo Acevedo]

1. I agree with Grice's identification that there appears to be different occurrences of meaning in language. I especially enjoy how nonnatural meaning isn't grounded solely in language, but can be expressed through actions of both individuals an objects (a traffic light being an example). The idea of a sense of nonnatural meaning being grounded in "the intention of inducing a belief by means of recognition of this intention" (Grice 384) has, what I think, an interesting symbolic interpretation.

2. I think the idea of the clashing of maxims is an odd concept. To imagine that there would be some internal struggle in giving a sufficient response in terms of quantity and quality seems odd, especially since any situation in which I do not possess an exact answer, but I do possess an approximate answer, I can say "I'm not really sure, but [input approx. answer]." I think for Grice to ask "Where does C live?", and B's reponse to be "Somewhere in the South of France." says more about B's communication skills, or about how much people enjoy conversing with Grice, than it does about the expectations of communication.

3.  My objection is to the construction of the maxims that Grice has attributed to the Cooperative Principle. Grice presents Quantity, Quality, Relation, and Manner as maxims that are expected to be fulfilled when engaging in conversation, however, the descriptions that Grice applies to these maxims do not appear to accurately represent expectations of most conversations. Grice's maxims are most likely to be fulfilled in conversations that are solely for the exchange of information (science or philosophical discussions); I feel as if there is no expectations of quality, quantity, relation, or manner in contexts involving banter, gossip, humor, or many other non-academic conversations.