lfilo1130  2020-2021  Louvain-la-Neuve

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).
5 credits
30.0 h
Q2
Teacher(s)
Verdée Peter;
Language
French
Main themes
This course offers an introduction to the philosophy of language and aims to provide an overview of the different aspects of language:
  • its nature: difference between human, animal and artificial language, the innate or acquired status of linguistic ability, the question of the origin of language
  • its relationship with reality: representation, expression, fiction, reference, truth
  • its relationship with thought
  • its relationship with action: speech acts
The fundamental concepts of the philosophy of language (i.e. reference, sense, meaning, truth, intentionality, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, ordinary/formal language, grammar) are introduced, explained and placed in their historical context.
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1
  • Understanding of the different movements, concepts and issues of the philosophy of language from a historical perspective.
  • Understanding of how the study of language falls into three groups: syntax, semantics and pragmatics.
  • Ability to align the questions posed by contemporary philosophy of language with the key topics of the history of philosophy.
 
Content
The course begins with a historical introduction to the philosophy of language where major themes are introduced in their historical context. Then we will study the following texts:
  1. Gottlob Frege, "Sense and reference"
  2. W. V. O. Quine, "Le mythe de la signification "
  3. Michael Dummett, "What do I know when I know a language?"
  4. Peter Strawson, "Context and meaning"
  5. David Kaplan, "Demonstratives. An essay on the semantics, logic, metaphysics and epistemology of demonstratives and other indexicals. "
  6. John Searle, "What is a speech act? "
  7. Selection of passages from the book "Philosophy of Language (and Mind)" written by François Recanati
Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

A few ex cathedra courses
Reading courses. Students prepare texts at home. A student presents the general structure of the text in 20 minutes and then discusses the subjects of the article in detail.
Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

January:

20% of the final grade: Active participation in class
80% of the final grade: An oral exam with a written preparation (which is organized one or a few days before the oral exam)

September:

20% of the final grade: a written assignment (a 2-page reflection on a central question)
80% of the final grade: An oral exam with a written preparation (which is organized one or a few days before the oral exam)
Bibliography
  • Tous les textes et les slides seront disponibles sur Moodle
Teaching materials
  • Tous les textes et les slides seront disponibles sur Moodle
Faculty or entity
EFIL


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Bachelor in Philosophy

Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Minor in Linguistics

Certificat universitaire en philosophie (fondements)

Minor in Philosophy