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The Unwritten Rules of Conversation: Are You Violating Grice’s Maxims?
Ever felt a conversation was awkward or that someone was being evasive, but couldn’t pinpoint why? Philosopher Paul Grice proposed four “maxims” (Quality, Quantity, Relevance, Manner) that govern successful, cooperative conversation. This article breaks down these unwritten rules, showing how we use and flout them to create sarcasm, imply meaning, and navigate social interactions.
