Open Access

Uwe Meixner

• This article examines the phenomenon of meaning-change in general names, emphasizing its linguistic, philosophical, and societal dimensions. It explores the role of conventions in establishing the relationship between general names and their meanings, highlighting how shifts in meaning can impact language and communication. Structural categories of meaning-change – saliently: strengthening, weakening, and conceptual exclusivity – are presented, along with illustrative examples. The study also proposes a rational framework for evaluating meaning-changes, offering three key precepts: preferring meaning-distinction over change, favoring reform over revolution, and appropriately incorporating moral considerations. Additionally, the implications of politically driven meaning-changes and the challenges of semantic relativism are addressed. The findings aim to provide a nuanced understanding of how meaning-change occurs and guidelines for navigating this process in both theoretical andThis article examines the phenomenon of meaning-change in general names, emphasizing its linguistic, philosophical, and societal dimensions. It explores the role of conventions in establishing the relationship between general names and their meanings, highlighting how shifts in meaning can impact language and communication. Structural categories of meaning-change – saliently: strengthening, weakening, and conceptual exclusivity – are presented, along with illustrative examples. The study also proposes a rational framework for evaluating meaning-changes, offering three key precepts: preferring meaning-distinction over change, favoring reform over revolution, and appropriately incorporating moral considerations. Additionally, the implications of politically driven meaning-changes and the challenges of semantic relativism are addressed. The findings aim to provide a nuanced understanding of how meaning-change occurs and guidelines for navigating this process in both theoretical and practical contexts.…