An Introduction to the Philosophy of Language

In this textbook, Michael Morris offers a critical introduction to the central issues of the philosophy of language. Each chapter focusses on one or two texts which have had a seminal influence on work in the subject, and uses these as a way of approaching both the central topics and the various traditions of dealing with them. Texts include classic writings by Frege, Russell, Kripke, Quine, Davidson, Austin, Grice and Wittgenstein. Theoretical jargon is kept to a minimum and is fully explained whenever it is introduced. The range of topics covered includes sense and reference, definite descriptions, proper names, natural-kind terms, de re and de dicto necessity, propositional attitudes, truth-theoretical approaches to meaning, radical interpretation, indeterminacy of translation, speech acts, intentional theories of meaning, and scepticism about meaning. The book will be invaluable to students and to all readers who are interested in the nature of linguistic meaning.

• Through use of this book, students will be introduced to the full range of topics within the philosophy of language • Each chapter focuses on one or two seminal texts, introducing readers to the core literature on the subject • Includes a glossary which provides clear explanations of technical terms

Introduction; 1. Locke and the nature of language; 2. Frege on sense and reference; 3. Russell on definite descriptions; 4. Kripke on proper names; 5. Natural-kind terms; 6. Quine on de dicto and de re modality; 7. Reference and propositional attitudes; 8. The semantics of propositional attitudes; 9. Davidson on truth and meaning; 10. Quine and Davidson on translation and interpretation; 11. Quine on the indeterminacy of translation; 12. Austin on speech acts; 13. Grice on meaning; 14. Kripke on the rule-following paradox; 15. Wittgenstein on the Augustinian picture.