Sanford C. Goldberg presents a novel account of the speech act of assertion. He argues that this type of speech act is answerable to an epistemic, context- sensitive norm. On this basis he shows the philosophical importance of assertion for key debates in philosophy of language and mind, epistemology, and ethics.
The book presents a compelling argument for anti-individualism in mind and language, asserting that thoughts and meanings are shaped by social and natural contexts. It explores how the communication of knowledge is influenced by the cognitive and linguistic behaviors of one's peers, highlighting the social aspects of beliefs and justification. By establishing connections between externalism in philosophy of mind and epistemology, the author emphasizes the importance of social dimensions in understanding knowledge, rationality, and communication.