| (3 cr.) This course focuses on the attempt to understand
the nature of language and its relationship with
speakers, their thoughts and the world. Students
explore such questions as: What is language? How
do we understand one another? Can we think without
language? What is the connection between words and
the objects to which they refer? What is meaning?
What determines the truth and falsehood of our
statements? Do we have innate linguistic abilities
or do we learn to speak by observing the behavior
of other speakers? Various philosophical theories
about language are attempts to answer such
questions. These are discussed, along with their
far-reaching consequences for other areas of
philosophy.
Prerequisite: PL 101 or QU 101; Every Third Year, Fall |
