Philosophy Course: The Philosophy of Language
Course summary
From the beginnings of both Eastern and Western philosophy, the nature of language has been a subject of enduring interest. The Greek Sophists recognised its political use and developed a theory of the persuasive nature of rhetoric, while Sanskrit scholars and grammarians as early as 400 BCE raised questions that continue to resonate today. How does language convey truth? What is the connection between words and the things they represent? Does language describe reality? What is the connection between language and thought?
We will consider these questions as we trace the history of ideas about language from the ancient world to modern hermeneutics, Wittgenstein’s linguistic turn, the anthropology of language, and contemporary sociolinguistics.
Aims
This course aims to provide an overview of the origins and complexities of the many theories of language, and the important role played by language in our understanding of human nature, reality and culture.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- identify the main theories of language from the ancient to the postmodern world
- discuss the important role played by language in our understanding of human nature
- discuss the issues involved in questions concerning how language conveys truth:
- what is the connection between words and things?
- does language describe reality?
- how does language connect to thought?
- identify the different language theories and how they developed in history
- discuss the implications of the theories for our current world.
Content
Ancient Greek and Indian language theory
We will begin with Sanskrit and the tradition of Vedic interpretation. Indian scholars and grammarians debated the nature of the knowledge that language can provide about the world. They considered the conditions under which a statement can be regarded as true and explored the relationship between language and the mind. In the Greek tradition, the Sophists developed theories of rhetoric, persuasion, and the principles of effective argument.
Hermeneutic philosophy: the art of interpretation
Hermeneutics is the theory and practice of textual interpretation. Originally concerned with biblical exegesis, hermeneutics expanded by the twentieth century into a broader philosophy of understanding and meaning-making in all areas of human life. Paul Ricoeur examines the conflict of interpretations and the role of time and narrative in the construction of meaning.
Metaphor and thought
All human languages employ metaphor, serving as the unconscious foundation of thought. Many of our interpretations of ourselves and the world are shaped by metaphors that map familiar meanings onto new experiences and hold the poetic power to elucidate abstract concepts through vivid, imaginative language.
The linguistic turn
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, language became a central concern of philosophy. Ludwig Wittgenstein introduced many of the ideas that would prove influential in both philosophy and linguistics. Among these are his "picture theory", according to which language enables us to model reality; his concept of "language games", in which meaning depends on the rules governing particular forms of social interaction; his argument that there can be no purely private language; and his view that language is fundamental to thought.
Sociolinguistics and anthropology
We will examine a number of theories proposed by linguistic anthropologists concerning the origins and functions of language. These approaches lead naturally to the role of language in the construction of cultural reality. For example, Benjamin Lee Whorf's essay "An American Indian Model of the Universe" proposes that different linguistic and cultural systems shape our understanding of the world in profoundly different ways.
We will assess this idea alongside Donald Davidson's essay "On the Very Idea of a Conceptual Scheme," in which he challenges key aspects of Whorf's position.
Prerequisites
None
Who this course is for
Anyone with a general interest in philosophy.
Delivery style
Lecture/seminar
Delivery mode
Online via the platform Zoom
Materials
Course notes are distributed electronically.
Recommended reading
The following texts offer comprehensive overviews on the meaning of words and their connection to reality and function in thought:
- Lycan, W. G. (2019) Philosophy of Language: A Contemporary Introduction, 3rd edition, Routledge
- Russell, G. and Fara, D. G. (eds.) (2012) The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Language, 1st edition, Routledge
Upcoming classes
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