5.00 credits
30.0 h
Q2
Teacher(s)
Verdée Peter;
Language
French
> English-friendly
> English-friendly
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
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
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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:
- Gottlob Frege, "Sense and reference"
- W. V. O. Quine, "Le mythe de la signification "
- Michael Dummett, "What do I know when I know a language?"
- Peter Strawson, "Context and meaning"
- David Kaplan, "Demonstratives. An essay on the semantics, logic, metaphysics and epistemology of demonstratives and other indexicals. "
- John Searle, "What is a speech act? "
- Selection of passages from the book "Philosophy of Language (and Mind)" written by François Recanati
Teaching methods
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.
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
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)
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