I think I've heard that one too many times. When someone wants to avoid discussing what they meant, or pretend that they agreed with you all along, they throw out the catch-all "we're just arguing semantics," as they wave away the issue and turn their head to a new subject.
Well here's the thing, hypothetical person A. You can't just say it's semantics, because that statement doesn't move anywhere in an argument. Basic linguistics state that syntax gives the general form of sentences, and semantics provide meaning. And built into that word 'meaning' are so many senses (meanings, if you will): meaning can be content, meaning can be truth-value, meaning can be reference to an object/person/location. It's not something to just throw around lightly
So, when you say "that's just semantics," what you're saying is "we're disagreeing about the meaning of statements." Yes, we are. That's probably the reason the argument arose in the first place, a dispute about meaning. Dismissing the argument by saying that we're just disagreeing is not doing anything. Duh. It's baffling, actually, that you'd say such a thing and believe it has any content of its own.
Accordingly, I will continue to argue with you...
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