perpromise

Perpromise is a neologism used in discussions of philosophy of language and contract theory to denote a type of commitment that is explicitly conditioned on a stated premise. It functions as a hybrid between a promise and a conditional obligation: the agent intends to perform a future action, but that intention is anchored to a specified antecedent or premise. The concept is used to analyze situations in which commitments are not unconditional but hinge on empirical or contextual factors.

Etymology and development: The term is a recent coinage, formed from combining “per” and “promise.” It emphasizes that the obligation subsists through a premise or condition communicated by the promisor. There is no single canonical definition, and scholars debate whether perpromises generate strong deontic force or merely express intent conditional on the premise.

Usage and analysis: Perpromise can be discussed as a noun (a perpromise) or as a verb (to perpromise). Examples: “He issued a perpromise to fund the project if the grant is approved.” “The witness perpromised to testify given immunity.” In analysis, perpromise helps distinguish between unconditional promises and statements that promise action only under certain conditions, clarifying how commitment is communicated and enforced in discourse.

Relation to related concepts: Perpromise is related to conditional promises, promissory commitments, and performative speech acts. It differs from a simple promise by foregrounding the conditional premise, and from a formal obligation by highlighting a communicative intention rather than a legally binding duty. Critics note potential ambiguity in the strength and scope of perpromises, urging precise articulation of the premise and the scope of the promised action.