I'm reading through the SEP article on meaning normativity. It's a huge topic. I'm just planning to lay the arguments out. The SEP article uses this terminology: meaning/content.

The basic idea is that meaning/content and normativity are inextricable. Some will say the two can't even be separated conceptually, so in order for my expressions to be meaningful, there must be some correct format, some correct time and place for the expression, etc. There are a collection of arguments under this umbrella.

One of the reasons this is fascinating me is that I regularly talk to people specifically to determine their mental status. Do they know where they are? Do they know what year it is, that sort of thing. My assessments are pretty course, but neurologists go further. Can you spell the word "world" backwards? Can you put the hands on a picture of a clock so that it says 1:10? We're checking on rule following. Or so it seems. :grin: