Hornsby on slur

I agree with Hornsby in the problem that inferentialism does not account for all derogatory terms, and thus cannot be a proper explanation for the uselessness of words. The example Hornsby gives of the English woman in 1950 making an generalization demonstrates this well, when describing not of the German couples themselves, but “couple moving in next door belong to a nation whose members are barbarous, etc.” (136).

I disagree with Hornsby’s conclusion in finding more suitable words to replace derogatory terms. I think that although some words may currently be derogatory, the issue is not the word itself but rather the intent behind the word. While Hornsby may believe that replacing these words itself will solve the issue, I think that the problem is not in the word itself, but the perspectives people have towards whatever derogatory term they are targeting.

I object to to Hornsby’s account that words have come to carry particular overtones or connotations (138). I do not want to say that some words do not carry connotations, however this is very subjective in that words do not necessarily always carry overtones or connotations;rather it is more of a case by case basis where words carry connotations.