The main topics and texts of the philosophy of language of the twentieth century will be presented and discussed: starting from the seminal works by Frege and Russell to the works by Austin and Grice. Apart from a direct knowledge of the texts and the problems, the students will familiarize with the characteristic method of the philosophy of language and analytical philosophy: clarity, rigor, and argument in philosophical discussion, both in writing and orally.

1. Introduction: language in philosophy and the philosophy of language. Philosophy of language and linguistic theories. Basic notions.

2. Meaning and reference

3. The logical structure of language

4. Meaning and truth

5. Meaning and verification

6. Meaning and intention

7. Meaning and action

8. Meaning and communication

Assignments



a) 2 short papers discussing one (1) claim or argument made in one (or more) of the readings. One for part 2, another for the remaining parts.



b) An oral presentation of each short paper.



c) Discussion of the readings (assigned weekly).



d) Written exam.



Evaluation.

The final grade will be based on the continuous evaluation of a), b), and c) plus d) above (25% each).

Alternatively, there will also be the option for a final exam.



NOTES about the papers:

If you can’t complete your papers to your satisfaction, you are better off handing in some version of it showing some work than nothing at all.

Drafts. I’m happy to talk over your ideas with you as often as you like, but I don’t read drafts of papers.



Handing things in.

Papers should be emailed to kepa.korta@ehu.es.

The subject line of the email should be in the form

Phil of Lang I/YOUR NAME/PAPER [1 or 2]

Put your name on the paper.

Number the pages

Double spaced, 12 pt. type

Attach the paper in Word (preferably), rft, or pdf format.

• Final Assessment System

Evaluation.



The final grade will be based on the continuous evaluation of a), b), and c) plus d) above (25% each).



Alternatively, there will also be the option for a final exam. Doing the final exam will count as renouncing to the continued evaluation.



Plagiarism in any of the written assignments implies failure (0) in the final grade.

Martinich, A. P. (ed.): The Philosophy of Language. Oxford U. Press, 1990.

Basic bibliography

Lycan, W. (1999), Philosophy of Language. London: Routledge.



Taylor, K. (1998), Truth and meaning. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

In-depth bibliography

Perry, John (2001), Reference and Reflexivity. Stanford: CSLI Publications.

Korta, Kepa and John Perry (2011). Critical Pragmatics. An Inquiry into Reference and Communication. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Journals

GOGOA. (UPV-EHU)

Web addresses

http://plato.stanford.edu/
http://www.stanford.edu