Abstract

There are three strands for reading the famous equation that a theory of meaning is a theory of understanding. One can give precedence to the theory of meaning, holding that what the speaker understands is such a theory. This is Davidson's stance. One can hold that understanding comes first and have a psychology of meaning. This the cognitivist stance. Or one can hold that there is no priority of meaning over understanding and vice versa. This is the Wittgensteinian stance. I argue that the Davidsonian stance should integrate the two others, but that it is very hard to do.