Proof-Theoretic Semantics for intensional transitive verbs

ABSTRACT. the paper presents a proof-theoretic semantics (PTS) for intensional transitive verbs, claimed to be advantageous compared to the model-theoretic semantics (MTS) for them. The PTS evades the controversies over the truth-conditions for sentences headed by ITVs, and is relieved from the complicated ontological commitments originated from various inhabitants populating models (over which there is no consensus). The following three characteristics of ITVs are handled: 1. Admittance of non-specific objects 2. Resistance to substitutability of coextensives 3. Suspension of existential commitment The paper also considers in detail the monotonicity involved with ITVs. Finally, there is a discussion of a proof-theoretic handling of passivisation of ITVs. The paper extends work on PTS for an extensional fragment, reviewed in an appendix.