Meaning and Mental Representation

by Umberto Eco, Marco Santambrogio

This is an important collection of original essays by well-known scholars debating the question of logical versus psychologically-based interpretations of language. The volume seeks to bridge the gap between the differing traditions of European semiotics and American philosophy of language on the issue of linguistic meaning and mental representation.

Genres: Philosophy

238 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1988

About the author

Umberto Eco was an Italian medievalist, philosopher, semiotician, novelist, cultural critic, and political and social commentator. In English, he is best known for his popular 1980 novel The Name of the Rose, a historical mystery combining semiotics in fiction with biblical analysis, medieval studies and literary theory, as well as Foucault's Pendulum, his 1988 novel which touches on similar themes.

Eco wrote prolifically throughout his life, with his output including children's books, translations from French and English, in addition to a twice-monthly newspaper column "La Bustina di Minerva" (Minerva's Matchbook) in the magazine L'Espresso beginning in 1985, with his last column (a critical appraisal of the Romantic paintings of Francesco Hayez) appearing 27 January 2016. At the time of his death, he was an Emeritus professor at the University of Bologna, where he taught for much of his life. In the 21st century, he has continued to gain recognition for his 1995 essay "Ur-Fascism", where Eco lists fourteen general properties he believes comprise fascist ideologies.

Reviews

[Francisca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to read more of Umberto Eco's articles now.