Philosophy of Language 3800-FJ24-M

The main objective of the course is critical analysis of main problems discussed in the philosophy of language.
I. Meaning and reference
1. Theories of reference
1.1. proper names (descriptive, nondescriptive, hybrid, indexical, mental files theories; rigid designation, direct reference)
1.2. descriptions (definite and indefinite, attributive and referential)
1.3. semantic reference and speaker reference
1.4. indexical expressions
2. Theories of meaning
2.1. propositional
2.1.1. main theories of propositions; singular propositions
2.2. use theories
2.3. psychological theories (meaning as a communicative intention)
3. Semantic internalism vs. Semantic externalism (Twin Earth, arthrities)
4. Intentionality

II. Logical syntax
1. Main goals of a theory of syntax: the compositionality principle
2. Ajdukiewicz and categorial grammar
3. The functoriality principle: Fregean sources of categorial grammar
4. Semantic categories and intentionality: Husserlian sources of categorial grammar
5. Geach and rich systems of categorial grammar
6. Categorial grammar, Montague grammar, generative grammar – main similarities and dissimilarities.

III. Meaning and use; meaning in context
1. Speech acts
2. Implicatures
3. Contextualism vs. semantic minimalism
a) context and its roles
b) minimalism, contextualism, indexicalism, truth relativism
c) implicatures, implicitures, explicatures