Simplifications and extensions of the Miracle Creed

Consonant with a central theme of Factors in natural language design (FIND)–the nominal domain and beyond, this paper explores aspects of Chomsky’s most recent work, including Chomsky (2023) “The Miracle Creed and SMT,” involving the factors that shape the form and function of the key operation of the narrow syntax, namely, Merge. We set the stage by considering the role of simplicity in explanation, tracing key aspects of the development of Merge and its interaction with principles outside the syntax. We’ll then consider, and elaborate, some of Chomsky’s recent proposals on the nature of Merge and the role of 3rd factor, and language specific constraints, in shaping its form and restricting its application. Finally, we suggest a new, simple postulate that we believe is consistent with the Miracle Creed framework (MC), and see how it resolves a potential problem confronting MC, and trace certain of its further consequences.