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Philosophy for Linguists: An Introduction
by Siobhan Chapman
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Routledge (2000-07-20)
ISBN: 0415206596
EAN: 9780415206594
Dewy Decimal #: 401
Paperback: 256 pages
Edition: 1
SKU: B316-1280
Condition: New
Comments: New & Shrinkwrapped. In stock - Immediate despatch from an efficient and professional leading British bookselling firm.
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Customer Reviews
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From Plato to Chomsky.....the easy way
Rating  (5)
Date: 2002-04-30
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
'Philosophy for Linguists: An Introduction' is an informative, easy-to-read introduction to linguistics within the sphere of philosophy. From Plato, through Frege and Russell, past Tarski and Davidson, addressing Austin, Ryle and Grice as well as taking time out to consider Whorf, Sapir, Saussure and Chomsky (amongst many others), Siobhan Chapman's book is a deceptive gem for the philosophy of language student or "interested reader" in the subject. It's deceptive because it's a sweet, modest but, above all, informative book (not quite what one would expect from a "philosophy of language" book) and manages to condense potentially hundreds of pages into a short, persuasive read. Unlike other publications, the information provided seeks not to elevate itself above its reader (thus confusing and confounding him or her with multi-syllable words only a lexicographer would be familiar with) but instead revels in being the reader's companion, explaining numerous concepts and ideas within five clearly-defined chapters (Words and things, Propositions and logic, Truth and reality, Speakers and hearers, Language and mind). The style and presentation of each of the chapters is non-threatening and easily accessible and even the involvement of arguably irrelevant and unrelated data, in the form of biographical information (for example did you know that Wittgenstein spent part of his time as a teacher and gardener?) is a welcome addition. For the student of philosophy/philosophy of language/linguistics, it is, simply, an essential read. For the casual reader, it is well worth reading if only to confuse fellow non-philosophers with talk of artificial languages, t-sentences, possible world semantics, definite descriptions, conversational implicature, the Innateness Hypothesis and any other of the numerous concepts contained within this deceptively vast book. 'Philosophy for Linguists: An Introduction' requires no knowledge on the part of the reader other than a willingness to sit back and be guided by a friendly narrator whose sole intention is to, simply, inform.
And where's the harm in that?
Highly, highly recommended.
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