Philosophy of Language
Objectives
a) Acquiring knowledge of the most important issues in philosophy of language.
b) Acquiring the capacity of analyzing texts, reconstructing implicit meaning, and justifying text interpretation.
c) Acquiring the critical capacity of comparing different theories.
d) Acquiring basic knowledge of the interrelations between linguistics and philosophy of language
e) Identifying the different aspects in the phenomenological analysis of language
f) Understanding the different relations between philosophy of language and ontology, anthropology, and philosophy of mind.
General characterization
Code
01102020
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Pedro Rui do Espírito Santo Abreu
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 168
Teaching language
Portuguese
Prerequisites
Available soon
Bibliography
PART I
Frege, Gottlob. (2019). Sobre Sentido e Denotação. In Cinco Ensaios Lógico-Filosóficos. Guimarães Editores. [publicação original: 1892]
Russell, B. (1905). On Denoting. Mind, 14(56), 479–493.
Grice, P. (1989b). Meaning. In Studies in the Way of Words. Harvard University Press. [publicação original: 1957]
Grice, P. (1989a). Logic and Conversation. In Studies in the Way of Words. Harvard University Press. [publicação original: 1975]
Davidson, D. (1984b). Truth and Meaning. In Inquiries into Truth and Interpretation (pp. 17– 36). Clarendon Press. [publicação original: 1967]
Davidson, D. (1984a). Radical Interpretation. In Inquiries into Truth and Interpretation (pp. 125–139). Clarendon Press. [publicação original: 1973]
Kripke, S. (1996). Naming and Necessity (excerto). In A. P. Martinich (Ed.), The Philosophy of Language (3rd edition). Oxford University Press. [publicação original: 1980]
Putnam, H. (1973). Meaning and reference. Journal of Philosophy, 70(19), 699–711.
PART II
Cappelen, H., & Dever, J. (2019). Bad Language. Oxford University Press.
Frankfurt, H. G. (2005). On Bullshit (1st edition). Princeton University Press. [publicação original: 1986]
Carnap, R. (1932). The Elimination of Metaphysics Through Logical Analysis of Language. Erkenntnis, 60–81.
Chalmers, D. J. (2011). Verbal Disputes. Philosophical Review, 120(4), 515–566.
Ludlow, P. (2014). Living Words: Meaning Underdetermination and the Dynamic Lexicon. Oxford University Press. (Caps. 1 e 2)
Teaching method
Expository sessions and discussions with students.
Reading, analysis, and commentary of texts.
Practical sessions with exercises and problem discussions.
Evaluation method
(50%) written exam
(40%) choice between:
a) 2 reading reports on two of the indicated texts
b) 1 original essay (topic and structure must be discussed with the professor beforehand)
(10%) classwork and participation
Subject matter
This course is divided into two parts.
The first part explores a set of fundamental questions regarding the nature of linguistic meaning. The perspective adopted is cumulative and syncretic, retaining and combining insights from various sources. It shows that linguistic meaning has something to do with:
- Representation of the world: reference, description, standing for, being about.
- Truth: truth values, truth conditions, methods of verification.
- Thoughts: expression, transmission, induction, recursive mindreading.
- Rationality: practical and theoretical, of the speaker and the interpreter.
- Structure: composition, logical form.
- Community: coordination, collective structures, and organizations.
The second part seeks to elucidate the possibility of a normative perspective on linguistic meaning, aimed both at evaluating available linguistic and semantic resources and at projects for improving these resources. It identifies shortcomings and limitations in linguistic meanings and practices, such as:
- "Bullshit"
- Nonsense
- Verbal disputes
- Political and social flaws
- Epistemic flaws
Finally, perspectives and strategies for responding to and improving these issues are considered within the framework of the recent discussion on conceptual engineering.