Description
A new edition of a comprehensive introduction to the philosophy of language, substantially updated and reorganized.
The philosophy of language aims to answer a broad range of questions about the nature of language, including “what is a language?” and “what is the source of meaning?” This accessible comprehensive introduction to the philosophy of language begins with the most basic properties of language and only then proceeds to the phenomenon of meaning. The second edition has been significantly expanded and reorganized, putting the original content in a contemporary context and offering substantial new material, with extended discussions and entirely new chapters.
After establishing the basics, the book discusses general criteria for an adequate theory of meaning, takes a first pass at describing meaning at an abstract level, and distinguishes between meaning and other related phenomena. Building on this, the book then addresses various specific theories of meaning, beginning with early foundational theories and proceeding to more contemporary ones. New to this edition are expanded discussions of Chomsky's work and compositional semantics, among other topics, and new chapters on such subjects as propositions, Montague grammar, and contemporary theories of language. Each chapter has technical terms in bold, followed by definitions, and offers a list of main points and suggested further readings. The book is suitable for use in undergraduate courses in philosophy and linguistics. Some background in philosophy is assumed, but knowledge of philosophy of language is not necessary.
About the authors
Heidi Savage is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Women and Gender Studies at SUNY Geneseo.
Melissa Ebbers is a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University.
Robert M. Martin is Professor of Philosophy at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia in Canada. He has authored several books on philosophy, including The Philosopher's Dictionary.
Other titles by
Writing Wrongs
Common Errors in English
For the Sake of Argument
How to Do Philosophy
Epistemology
There Are Two Errors in the the Title of This Book, Revised and Expanded (Again)
A Sourcebook of Philosophical Puzzles, Problems, and Paradoxes
First Philosophy: God, Mind, and Freedom, second edition
Fundamental Problems and Readings in Philosophy
First Philosophy I: Values and Society - Second Edition
Fundamental Problems and Readings in Philosophy
First Philosophy - Second Edition
Fundamental Problems and Readings in Philosophy
Philosophical Conversations
Introducing Symbolic Logic
