54
Philosophy and Theory of Language
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the student must demonstrate that he or she has
acquired knowledge of the main topics discussed in the course
(theories of meaning, semantic analysis of ordinary language with
particular reference to mentalist assertions, ontology and
pragmatics).
Specifically, expected outcomes include the following:
1.Knowledge and understanding skills
A good knowledge of the vocabulary and methods of the philosophical study of language and the ability to
apply them correctly to other contexts and cultural areas as well.
Ability to apply logical-linguistic tools for understanding and producing texts
related to issues and analyses of various kinds on both historical and contemporary levels.
Acquisition of skills to actively participate in discussions using an
effective argumentation,
Highlighting the weaknesses and strengths of arguments.
2.Applied knowledge and understanding skills
Development of skills to apply logical-linguistic tools for understanding and producing texts related to issues and analysis
of various genres on both historical and contemporary levels.
Ability to learn from one's mistakes and, if necessary, to modify one's point of view.
originality of thought and personal elaboration skills.
Ability to communicate clearly and unambiguously their conclusions, as well as the knowledge and rationale behind them
to specialist and non-specialist interlocutors
Know how to draft written texts (projects, reports, analytical studies) with appropriate terminology and clarity of exposition.
3.Autonomy of judgment
To be able to communicate in public through discussion and be able to provide plausible responses to remarks and requests for clarification.
communicate fluently and correctly during discussions.
ability to adequately consult the literature and report information from the bibliography for comparison
ability to adequately consult databases and other information on the web
ability to maintain a continuous update of knowledge and be able to integrate it within the scope of the knowledge acquired
4. Ability to learn
Ability to adequately consult literature and report information from comparative bibliography.
Ability to adequately consult databases and other information on the web
The educational objectives and expected outcomes are consistent with
educational objectives of the CdS, in which is especially relevant the topic of
communication
Course Prerequisites
Useful, though not essential, knowledge of the main
topics in analytic philosophy of language covered in the three-year course
of Logic and Natural Languages. Advisable to have taken at least one
exam in a linguistic discipline.
Teaching Methods
The course includes frontal lectures in Italian and seminar moments of students' involvement.
Assessment Methods
In the assessment, the student should demonstrate knowledge and ability to understand
the main issues related to contemporary philosophy of contemporary language,
establishing connections between the issues discussed and
the acquired knowledge of linguistics and languages.
Ideally, students will be expected to demonstrate originality of thought and personal elaboration skills, as well as
to be able to critically evaluate the theses formulated by the authors studied. In addition, the ability to learn from
one's mistakes and, if necessary, to modify one's point of view, will be appreciated.
Texts
REFERENCE TEXTS/BIBLIOGRAPHY
1) G. Frege, Senso e significato, in Filosofia del linguaggio, Raffaello
Cortina, Milano 2003, pp. 15-41. (Also under the title Sense and Denotation in
other Italian ed.).
2) C. Penco, Introduzione alla filosofia del linguaggi, Laterza, Roma-Bari.
2004 (or successor ed.).
3) D. Davidson, Azioni, ragioni e cause, in Davidson, Azioni ed eventi, Il
Mulino, Bologna 1992, pp. 41-61.
One of the following texts of your choice:
4) C. DI MAIO, Il concetto di intenzione nella filosofia analitica, Rubbettino
Publisher, 2024.
5) A. RAINONE, Entia non grata. Il minimalismo ontologico di W.V. Quine, Mimesis, 2025.
There is no difference in bibliography between frequent and non
frequent attendees. Other possible readings
will be indicated in the course of the lectures
Contents
COURSE TITLE: Language, meaning, mind and action.
LIST OF TOPICS:
1. G. Frege's theory of meaning;
2. B.Russell's theory of descriptions. ;
3. Reference and intensionality;
4. Meaning in Wittgenstein's Tractatus;
5.Meaning and ontology;
6. Propositional attitudes and actions: linguistic and psychological analysis;
7. Language, mind and human action;
8. Intention and action;
9. Translation and meaning:
10. Interpretation and empathy.
Course Language
Italian.
More information
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