Coming to our Senses - A Naturalistic Program for Semantic Localism

Michael Devitt is a distinguished philosopher of language. In this new book he takes up foundational issues in semantics. Three important questions lie at the core of this book: What are the main objectives of semantics? Why are they worthwhile? How should we accomplish them? Devitt answers these "methodological" questions naturalistically and explores what semantic program arises from the answers. The approach is anti-Cartesian, rejecting the idea that linguistic or conceptual competence yields any privileged access to meanings. A substantial contribution to the literature on meaning and intentionality, this important study will be of particular interest to philosophers of language and mind and could be used in graduate-level seminars in these areas. The book will also appeal to readers in linguistics and the other cognitive sciences.

List of contents

Introduction; 1. A critique of the case for semantic holism; 2. The methodology of naturalistic semantics; 3. A case for semantic localism; 4. Meanings and their ascription; 5. Eliminativism and revisionism.

Summary

Michael Devitt is a distinguished philosopher of language. In this book he takes up one of the most important difficulties that must be faced by philosophical semantics: namely, the threat posed by holism. This important study will be of particular interest to philosophers of language and mind, and could be used in graduate-level seminars in these areas.

Product details

• Authors: Michael Devitt, Devitt Michael
• Publisher: Cambridge Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 27.10.1995
• EAN: 9780521495431
• ISBN: 978-0-521-49543-1
• Dimensions: 140 mm x 216 mm x 24 mm
• Weight: 600 g
• Series: Cambridge Studies in Philosoph; Cambridge Studies in Philosoph; Cambridge Studies in Philosophy
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative linguistics; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; PHILOSOPHY / Logic, Analytical philosophy & Logical Positivism, Analytical philosophy and Logical Positivism