ABSTRACT
A variety of speech acts convey problems. Hence the presentation of a problem entrains diverse sincerity conditions. Asking is insincere (as is any subsequent investigative activity) when one already knows the answer. Negotiating is insincere when one does not hope to reach an agreement. Complaining is insincere when you’re unbothered by the defect. Given the dialectical emphasis of this book, however, I shall concentrate on the sincerity condition imposed by the joint speech act of disputation.
