OVERVIEW

The analytic philosophy of language is the study of the constitutive properties that make linguistic expressions the main tools we have at our disposal to describe reality and communicate information. The philosophers of language study the properties that make words have determinate meanings. The philosophers of language study these constitutive properties of meaning not from the etymological point of view but from the metaphysical one: that in which the meaning of a word consists.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Introducing students to the problems of meaning and of linguistic understanding in the wake of the tradition of Frege, Russell and Wittgenstein. Showing links with linguistics, logic, IT, psychology and cognitive sciences. Enabling the studend to apply aspects of language philosophy to the analysis of daily speech and public discourse (newspapers, television, internet). Introducing students to the reading and discussing of classical texts.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course students will be able to master the basics of the philosophy of language, in particular the basics of the true-conditional semantics with double index that is used to study the meaning of large fragments of natural languages. Students will also master the notions of reference and denotation, and the notion of direct reference, which are not only central to current debates in the philosophy of language, but are also fundamental conceptual tools used by analytical philosophers in other areas of research, from metaphysics to epistemology. Students will acquire the competence to start autonomous study of essays in philosophy of language and analytic philosophy.

PREREQUISITES

VERY IMPORTANT: The course presupposes the knowledge of logic. The course is strongly discouraged for students who do not attend classes.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching mainly involves standard lectures. Compatibly with the time that will remain available, some hours can be dedicated to the reading and discussion of classic articles of philosophy of language.

Teams code: 7vfaylx

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Program
Part 1
Gottlob Frege and the origins of the analytical philosophy of language
Part 2
Key concepts of formal semantics
Part 3
Singular terms, reference and denotation
Part 4
Reference, necessity, a priori/a posteriori

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Vignolo, M., e Frixione, M., 2018. Filosofia del Linguaggio, Milano: Mondadori.

Any in-depth articles will be decided together with the students during the lessons.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MASSIMILIANO VIGNOLO (President)

FILIPPO DOMANESCHI

VALERIA OTTONELLI (Substitute)

FABIO PATRONE (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

19 february 2024

Class schedule

PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Students can choose a written test or an oral exam

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students will be assessed on the basis of (i) knowledge of the contents covered during the course, (ii) ability to analyse and reconstruct philosophical arguments, and (iii) appropriateness in the use of philosophical language.

Exam schedule