Language and Reality - 2nd Edition: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Language

by Michael Devitt, Kim Sterelny

"Language and Reality" is an intermediate-level textbook for students in the philosophy of language both at beginning and advanced levels. It is unique in presenting a large range of work--the theory of meaning, the standard theory of transformational grammar, problems of linguistic competence and innateness, verificationism, structuralism, rational psychology, and many other concepts and issues--within a comprehensive framework. The authors' clear, lively, and argumentative approach and their method of structuring the material make this a useful text for students and professionals in literature, linguistics, anthropology, and cognitive science as well as in other branches of philosophy. Although competing theories are given detailed discussion, the authors stake out a definite theoretical ground. Their perspective is naturalistic. This leads them, controversially, to a deflationary view of the significance of the study of language, a view that is opposed to a dominant trend in twentieth-century thought, represented in the work of such different thinkers as Rudolf Carnap, Benjamin Lee Whorf, Hilary Putnam, and Michael Dummett. They also favor the functionalist approach to the study of mind as represented in the work of Jerry Fodor, Daniel Dennett, William Lycan, and other creators of the interdisciplinary field of cognitive science. And they accept and apply the insights of transformational generative grammar, while "remaining skeptical of its claims about psychological reality."

Genres: Philosophy, Language, Linguistics, Nonfiction

325 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1987

Reviews

[Abdullrahman Elhussiny]

A good impression you will have from the beginning of reading this book. As both authors mentioned in the preface, it is an appropriate introduction for beginners who look forward to navigate across the sea of the philosophy of language. In addition, an overview about main topics in the field is provided, taking the reader step-by-step from basic to advanced issues in exciting and smooth style that attracts reader's attention and makes him/her never wants to stop reading.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a fair introduction to the analytic philosophy of language. It is marketed as a textbook, but I think much of it is accessible to an interested non-academic reader. (More advanced sections are clearly labelled.)

The reader should know, however, that this is not a neutral presentation of its subject. The authors have a point of view which is strongly realist, naturalist and empiricist and they argue every point from this point of view. Those who come to language from a more pragmatist or Wittgensteinian point of view will be disappointed by the extremely heavy emphasis on the subject of reference, as if that were almost the beginning and end of all language.

[Jared Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linguistics from a naturalist/reductionist viewpoint. The authors readily confess the framework from which they contstruct their view of language. Aside from that, this is a great introduction to the philosophy of language which hits on all the key issues: formation, function, connection with reality, etc. It can get technical (read tedious) at times but not so much as to bog down an interested reader.

[Socrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filosofia limbajului ridică probleme pe cât de importante, pe atât de dificile. Importanta limbajului pentru viata umană este evidentă. Toate societătile umane folosesc limbajul, ca şi toţi membrii lor mai mult sau mai putin normali. Dobândirea limbajului reprezintă una dintre puţinele deprinderi cognitive, fiind în bună măsură atât comună, cât şi specifică oamenilor. Această deprindere dă speciei umane avantaje enorme asupra celorlalte specii, limbajul fiind o cale rapidă şi uşoară de a transmite descoperirile de la o generaţie la alta. Unii teoreticieni văd în limbaj cea mai importantă caracteristică a speciei umane. Importanţa evidentă a limbajului face ca studiul acestuia să fie profitabil, însă nu ne previne asupra influenţei pe care o are in filosofie. De-a lungul ultimului secol, filosofia limbajului a devenit aria centrală a filosofiei, în special în traditia de limbă engleză. S-a considerat că opiniile despre limbaj pot clarifica probleme filosofice tradiţionale din epistemologie, metafizică şi etică. Pentru multi cercetători natura insăşi a filosofiei se află în strânsă legătură cu studiul limbajului. După părerea noastră, multe aspecte depăşesc limitele admise: filosofia limbajului s-a întins mai mult decât îi este plapuma.

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

considerably more opinionated than Lycan's - or at least more overtly so and in a more systematic fashion -, which makes them pretty complementary

the last chapter (about Dennett, Davidson and charity) was really nice

[Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. It touches on the central themes in the philosophy of language in an engaging and thought-provoking manner. It is not neutral on most topics, but this is good for students as it's likely to incite them to challenge the authors by digging deeper and thereby form their own ideas on a particular subject. The authors approach to the whole subject-matter, for example, is naturalistic, something not usually found in other introductory books, and so it will probably spark some opposition in those who wish to continue the traditional analytic way of dealing with the philosophy of language. Another plus is the inclusion of suggested reading lists at the end of each chapter, which will prove very useful for anyone intent on delving deeper into the topics discussed. There are, however, some chapters (e.g. 12 and 13) where I think the authors could have engaged their opponents a little more seriously; but, then again, I wasn't really interested in knocking down constructivism or structuralism. All in all, a very good book, of which I'm going to re-read parts in the coming weeks in order to fully appreciate the main arguments and also to enjoy the smooth writing style.

[Henrik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read it (or large portions of it, anyway) before... But looking at it again now. Not all of it is of relevance to me (because of the subject of my current thesis/doctorial), but on the whole a nice introduction to the discipline called "the Philosophy of Language."