to be considered successful uptake. Bird (2002, pp.1) on the other hand, presents the
view that no uptake is needed for successful illocution or refusal.
After looking at both Bird’s (2002) and McDonald’s (2020) views on uptake I
conclude in conjunction with McDonald (2020) that the ratification theory is the most
coherent theory of uptake. I do this by highlighting the three main flaws of the
opposing theory; it lacks correspondence, it is normatively incoherent, and it holds
unsavoury political implications (McDonald,2002, pp.3). I then dismiss Birds’ (2002)
argument on the grounds that he confuses sincerity intention with illocution intention
(McGowan et al, 2011, pp.139) when making his claim that uptake isn’t needed for the
success of a speech act. After constituting the ratification theory, the correct theory of
uptake, I examine Langton’s (1993) view to find that she endorses the incorrect theory
of uptake (the constitutional theory). Despite Langton (1933) not explicitly naming
that she is in support of this theory, as it was much later than the publication of her
works that different theories of uptake were established, I use her text to clearly
demonstrate that she endorses the incoherent theory. Although this initially proves
problematic as I have deemed this theory obsolete, further research into other theorists
leads me to the work of Hesni (2018) who advocates for illocutionary frustration over
illocutionary silencing. Her suggestion of frustration over silencing excludes the
criticisms that Langton (1993) faces as her theory can stand within the ratification
theory of uptake (the correct theory), whilst still providing an argument that
pornography harms women. It is due to the similarity of conclusions made by Langton
(1993) and Hesni (2018) that allows me to suggest that whilst Langton (1993, pp. 315)
is wrong in terms of how she presents her claim through illocutionary disablement, she
isn’t wron g in her conclusion that pornography is a speech act that silences and harms
women. Both Langton’s (1993) and Hesni’s (2018) texts can be used as a case to
support the banning and censorship of pornography through the harm they show
pornography has on women.
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