The nature of language

Basic Information

Course 2019/2020
Lecturer
Andre Bazzoni
Semester
1st.
Department
Department of Philosophy
University
Universitat de Barcelona
Module
Module 4. Language and Mind
Code
570632
Credits
5
Language
English

Dates

Schedule
Wednesdays, 12.00-15.00
Location
402 - Facultat de Filosofia UB

Description

In this course we will get intimately acquainted with contemporary philosophy of language. We will study both classical and current foundational work on reference, propositional content, linguistic meaning, and language, trying to find answers to questions like: How to think about propositional content? What is it for an expression to have a linguistic meaning?; and, How can modal analysis help us understand the nature of language?

Evaluation

Participation

- Coming to class while having read and thought about the reading is mandatory

- Participation is worth 10% of your final grade (total 10%)

Student presentation (30–45min)

- Presentation is worth 30% of your final grade

Final paper

- Due TBD

- ~3500 words

- The paper is worth 60% of your final grade

 

Bibliography

Schedule (readings might be subject to changes):

 

W1, 02.10: Language and metalanguage: Pure quotation

Reading: Bazzoni (2016), “Pure quotation, metalanguage, and metasemantics”

[no student presentation]

W2, 09.10: Theories of reference

Reading: Martí (forthcoming), “Reference and theories of reference”

W3, 16.10: Possible World Semantics: meaning as intension

Readings: Menzel (2016), “Possible worlds”, Sec. 1; Lindstrom & Segerberg (2007), “Modal logic and philosophy”, Sec. 1

W4, 23.10: Reference and Fregean sense(s)

Reading: Burge (1979), “Sinning against Frege”

W5, 30.10: Character and direct reference

Reading: Kaplan (1989), “Demonstratives” [first half]

W6, 06.11: Rigid designation

Reading: Kripke (1980), “Naming and Necessity” [excerpts]

W7, 13.11: Modality and quantification

Readings: Quine (1947), “The Problem of Interpreting Modal Logic”; Marcus (1961), “Modalities and intensional languages”

W8, 27.11: Identity, reference, and essentialism

Readings: Kripke (1980), “Naming and necessity” [excerpts]; Salmon (1981), “Reference and essence” [excerpts]

W9, 04.12: Modality and Possible Worlds

Reading: Divers (2002), “Possible Worlds”, Ch. 1-2

W10, 11.12: Conditionals /Counterfactuals

Readings: Edgington (1995), “On conditionals” [excerpts]; Lewis (1973), “Counterfactuals” [excerpts]

 

 

All of this readings are yet to be made available via Campus Virtual.

 

 

Other considerations

Accessibility:

This class is meant to be accessible and enjoyable to all students. If you believe that there are barriers to your effectively participating please meet with the instructor to talk about academic accommodations (preferably in the first few weeks).