printer friendly pagePHIL 181: Philosophy of Language (PHIL 281)
The study of conceptual questions about language as a focus of contemporary philosophy for its inherent interest and because philosophers see questions about language as behind perennial questions in other areas of philosophy including epistemology, philosophy of science, metaphysics, and ethics. Key concepts and debates about the notions of meaning, truth, reference, and language use, with relations to psycholinguistics and formal semantics. Readings from philosophers such as Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, Grice, and Kripke. Prerequisites: 80 and background in logic.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum
Instructors:
Crimmins, M. (PI)
;
Simon, A. (TA)
PHIL 181B: Topics in Philosophy of Language (PHIL 281B)
This course builds on the material of 181/281, focusing on debates and developments in the pragmatics of conversation, the semantics/pragmatics distinction, the contextuality of meaning, the nature of truth and its connection to meaning, and the workings of particular linguistic constructions of special philosophical relevance. Students who have not taken 181/281 should seek the instructor's advice as to whether they have sufficient background.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-A-II
| Repeatable
3 times
(up to 12 units total)
Instructors:
Crimmins, M. (PI)
PHIL 181C: Slurs and derogatory language (PHIL 281C)
Do slurring words differ in semantic character from their so-called neutral counterparts? If so how do we explain the difference in meaning between a slur and its neutral counterpart. Or is slurring better explained by appeal to the resources of pragmatics, speech act theory or sociolinguistics? What is the source of the offensiveness of a slur? How can mere words subordinate and marginalize? We attempt to answer these and other questions about slurs and derogatory language. nnA previous course in either the philosophy of language or linguistic semantics or pragmatics is strongly recommended, though students without such background who are willing to do additional reading to fill in gaps in their knowledge are also welcome.
Last offered: Winter 2018
| Repeatable
2 times
(up to 8 units total)
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