Gricean maxims

n. A set of four conversational guides for maximizing the efficiency of conversation proposed by the philosopher Paul Gricel: (1) The maxim of quality or truth, which suggests that one should not say what one knows to be false or for which one lacks the evidence of its truth. (2) The maxim of quantity of information, which suggests that the amount of information should be as much as required for a conversation but not more than is required. (3) The maxim of relation or relevance, which suggests what is said should pertain to the conversation rather than be a distraction from its topic. (4) The maxim of manner or clarity, which suggests the speaker should avoid ambiguity, be orderly in presentation of information, be brief, and avoid saying things in difficult- to-understand manners (eschew obfuscation). These maxims have been widely used in analysis of natural language and in computer models of language.