PHIL. 531: PHIL OF LANGUAGE
Spring 2015 (schedule #: 22466)
Dr. Robert Francescotti
Office hours (AL, 438): Tues 2:30-3:30 pm, Wed 1-2:30 & 5-6 pm, & Thurs 3:00-4:30 pm
Office phone & e-mail: 619-594-6585, rfrances@mail.sdsu.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The central issues in the philosophy of language concern the meaning and reference of the
words we use. What exactly is it about our use of words that gives them the meanings they
have? And what is it about our use of words that gets them to latch on to and pick out particular
objects in the world?
Given that we use language to refer to and meaningfully talk about reality, these questions
about language naturally lead to questions about the nature of reality. The relevant metaphysical
issues we will consider include: Can we make meaningful and true claims about things that do
not exist?, Are there truths that we cannot possible verify?, Are facts about the world languagedependent?, Are there universals in addition to particulars?, Is the analytic/synthetic distinction
tenable?, Can meaning and reference be explained without the notion of “truth”?, Is it possible to
have a wholly private language?, What properties are essential to an object?, Does the essence of
an object depend solely on how we choose to describe it?
LEARNING OUTCOMES
You are expected to demonstrate an ability to:
- clearly explain and distinguish between each of the major theories of meaning and reference that we
discuss
- identify the contribution to the philosophy of language of each of the major authors
- identify both problems with and merits of each of the theories presented
- speculate on how the theories might be modified to avoid objections raised
- develop and defend in writing your own views on topics relevant to the material of the course
REQUIRED TEXTS
- A. P. Martinich, Philosophy of Language, 5th ed. (Oxford, 2008) at SDSU Bookstore
- a packet of additional readings at CalCopy.
READINGS
John Locke, “Of Words,” from bk. III of An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690)
John Stuart Mill, “Of Names,” from a System of Logic (1843)
Gottlob Frege, “On Sense and Reference” (1892)
Bertrand Russell, “Descriptions” from Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy (1919)
Russell, selections from “The Philosophy of Logical Atomism” (1918-1919)
A. J. Ayer, chapters 1 and 6 and the preface of Language, Truth, and Logic (1936/1946)
W. V. O. Quine, “Two Dogmas of Empiricism” (1951)
H.P. Grice and P.F. Strawson, “In Defense of a Dogma” (1956)
P. F. Strawson, “On Referring” (1950)
Russell, “Mr. Strawson on Referring” (1957)
J. L. Austin, “Performative Utterances” (1961)
John Searle, “How to Derive an ‘Ought’ from an ‘Is’” (1964)
Ludwig Wittgenstein, excerpts from Philosophical Investigations (1953)
H. P. Grice, “Logic and Conversation” (1975)
Grice, “Meaning” (1957)
Hilary Putnam, “Meaning and Reference” (1973)
John Searle, “Proper Names” (1958)
Saul Kripke, excerpts from “Naming and Necessity” (1972) and Naming and Necessity (1980)
Gareth Evans, “The Causal Theory of Names (1973)
ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING
EXAMS (300 possible pts)
There are three in-class essay exams, each out of 100 possible pts.
Exam I is on February 24th
Exam II on March 26th
Exam III on May 7th
The exams must be taken at the scheduled times. I will allow make-ups only for those with a
compelling reason for missing, and I must be notified prior to the exam to judge if the reason is
compelling enough.
SHORT WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS (100 possible pts)
At most class meetings, I will assign a question about the readings to be discussed at the
following meeting. You are asked to answer the question in one typewritten page, and turn it in
at the start of the next class period.
The total number you receive out of these 400 possible points is your “BASE SCORE,” which
may be affected by:
DISCRETIONARY POINTS On the basis of class participation, significant improvement in
grades, or other meritorious performance, I might add a point or two or perhaps even a few to
your base score. For example, suppose you receive a grand total of 315 points on the items
above. 315 is 78.75% of 400, which is C+. But if you participated very well in class discussion
and also showed significant improvement in grades, then I might add 5 pts (for example) to the
315, which would give you 320. 320 is 80% of 400, which puts you just inside the B- range.
(See percentage/letter grade conversion chart below.)
But note: points for positive performance in one area (such as improved grades) might be
eliminated or even outweighed by negative performance in another area (for example, evidence
that you’re not doing the readings). So your final score could end up being lower than your base
score, and in some cases this could result in a lower letter grade being assigned. (Imagine a
change the opposite of that described above -- going from 320 to 315.)
In particular, ATTENDANCE is especially important, for whether or not you actually
participate in class discussion on a particular day, attendance is necessary to even be prepared to
participate. So I’ll keep track of attendance and subtract 1.5 pts per absence from the total base
score (the points earned out of 400). With poor attendance, then, the score could be lowered
quite a bit.
Here’s how the percentages convert to letter grades:
92.5—100
89.5—92.49
86.5—89.49
82.5—86.49
79.5—82.49
76.5—79.49
72.5—76.49
69.5—72.49
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
C-
66.5—69.49
62.5—66.49
59.5—62.49
below 59.5
D+
D
DF
Academic Misconduct: Cheating and Plagiarism
It is your responsibility to know and observe all the SDSU rules concerning academic integrity and
plagiarism. You should familiarize yourself with SDSU Academic Senate Policy on Plagiarism
http://senate.sdsu.edu/policy/pfacademics.html. Here are some highlights:
2.0 Definitions
2.1 Cheating shall be defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work by the use of
dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to (a) copying, in part or in
whole, from another’s test or other examination; (b) discussing answers or ideas relating to the answers on a test or other
examination without the permission of the instructor; (c) obtaining copies of a test, an examination, or other course material
without the permission of the instructor; (d) using notes, cheat sheets, or other devices considered inappropriate under the
prescribed testing condition; (e) collaborating with another or others in work to be presented without the permission of the
instructor; (f) falsifying records, laboratory work, or other course data; (g) submitting work previously presented in another
course, if contrary to the rules of the course; (h) altering or interfering with the grading procedures; (i) plagiarizing, as
defined; and (j) knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above.
2.2 Plagiarism shall be defined as the act of incorporating ideas, words, or specific substance of another, whether purchased,
borrowed, or otherwise obtained, and submitting same to the University as one’s own work to fulfill academic requirements
without giving credit to the appropriate source. Plagiarism shall include but not be limited to (a) submitting work, either in
part or in whole, completed by another; (b) omitting footnotes for ideas, statements, facts, or conclusions that belong to
another; (c) omitting quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, sentence, or part
thereof; (d) close and lengthy paraphrasing of the writings of another; (e) submitting another person’s artistic works, such as
musical compositions, photographs, paintings, drawings, or sculptures; and (f) submitting as one’s own work papers
purchased from research companies.
Student Disability Services
Any students with special needs due to a documented medical condition should avail themselves of the
resources at Student Disability Services, Calpulli Center, room 3101, (619)594-6473,
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds Students who have such concerns that might prevent them from otherwise
doing well in this course should discuss this with the instructor so that arrangements can be made.
“If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your
responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of
your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that
accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based upon disability cannot be provided until
you have presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your
cooperation is appreciated.” Pamela J. Starr, Director, Student Disability Services
Religious Observances
“By the end of the second week of classes, students should notify the instructors of affected courses of
planned absences for religious observances. Instructors shall reasonably accommodate students who
notify them in advance of planned absences for religious observances.” (p. 20, 2014-15 General Catalog).
graduate version
PHIL. 531: PHIL OF LANGUAGE
Spring 2015 (schedule #: 22466)
Dr. Robert Francescotti
Office hours (AL, 438): Tues 2:30-3:30 pm, Wed 1-2:30 & 5-6 pm, & Thurs 3:00-4:30 pm
Office phone & e-mail: 619-594-6585, rfrances@mail.sdsu.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The central issues in the philosophy of language concern the meaning and reference of the
words we use. What exactly is it about our use of words that gives them the meanings they
have? And what is it about our use of words that gets them to latch on to and pick out particular
objects in the world?
Given that we use language to refer to and meaningfully talk about reality, these questions
about language naturally lead to questions about the nature of reality. The relevant metaphysical
issues we will consider include: Can we make meaningful and true claims about things that do
not exist?, Are there truths that we cannot possible verify?, Are facts about the world languagedependent?, Are there universals in addition to particulars?, Is the analytic/synthetic distinction
tenable?, Can meaning and reference be explained without the notion of “truth”?, Is it possible to
have a wholly private language?, What properties are essential to an object?, Does the essence of
an object depend solely on how we choose to describe it?
LEARNING OUTCOMES
You are expected to demonstrate an ability to:
- clearly explain and distinguish between each of the major theories of meaning and reference that we
discuss
- identify the contribution to the philosophy of language of each of the major authors
- identify both problems with and merits of each of the theories presented
- speculate on how the theories might be modified to avoid objections raised
- develop and defend in writing your own views on topics relevant to the material of the course
REQUIRED TEXTS
- A. P. Martinich, Philosophy of Language, 5th ed. (Oxford, 2008) at SDSU Bookstore
- a packet of additional readings at CalCopy.
READINGS
John Locke, “Of Words,” from bk. III of An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690)
John Stuart Mill, “Of Names,” from a System of Logic (1843)
Gottlob Frege, “On Sense and Reference” (1892)
Bertrand Russell, “Descriptions” from Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy (1919)
Russell, selections from “The Philosophy of Logical Atomism” (1918-1919)
A. J. Ayer, chapters 1 and 6 and the preface of Language, Truth, and Logic (1936/1946)
W. V. O. Quine, “Two Dogmas of Empiricism” (1951)
H.P. Grice and P.F. Strawson, “In Defense of a Dogma” (1956)
P. F. Strawson, “On Referring” (1950)
Russell, “Mr. Strawson on Referring” (1957)
J. L. Austin, “Performative Utterances” (1961)
John Searle, “How to Derive an ‘Ought’ from an ‘Is’” (1964)
Ludwig Wittgenstein, excerpts from Philosophical Investigations (1953)
H. P. Grice, “Logic and Conversation” (1975)
Grice, “Meaning” (1957)
Hilary Putnam, “Meaning and Reference” (1973)
John Searle, “Proper Names” (1958)
Saul Kripke, excerpts from Naming and Necessity (1972) and Naming and Necessity (1980)
Gareth Evans, “The Causal Theory of Names (1973)
ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING
EXAMS (300 possible pts)
There are three in-class essay exams, each out of 100 possible pts.
Exam I is on February 24th
Exam II on March 26th
Exam III on May 7th
The exams must be taken at the scheduled times. I will allow make-ups only for those with a
compelling reason for missing, and I must be notified prior to the exam to judge if the reason is
compelling enough.
SHORT WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS (100 possible pts)
At most class meetings, I will assign a question about the readings to be discussed at the
following meeting. You are asked to answer the question in one typewritten page, and turn it in
at the start of the next class period.
TERM PAPER (170 pts)
12 pages minimum, due by 5 pm, May 12th. You will explain and defend your own conclusions
regarding one of the main issues discussed in the course.
The total number you receive out of these 570 possible points is your “BASE SCORE,” which
may be affected by:
DISCRETIONARY POINTS On the basis of class participation, significant improvement in
grades, or other meritorious performance, I might add a point or two or perhaps even a few to
your base score. For example, suppose you receive a grand total of 450 points on the items
above. 450 is 78.95% of 570, which is C+. But if you participated very well in class discussion
and also showed significant improvement in grades, then I might add 6 pts (for example) to the
450, which would give you 456. 456 is 80% of 570, which puts you just inside the B- range.
(See percentage/letter grade conversion chart below.)
But note: points for positive performance in one area (such as improved grades) might be
eliminated or even outweighed by negative performance in another area (for example, evidence
that you’re not doing the readings). So your final score could end up being lower than your base
score, and in some cases this could result in a lower letter grade being assigned. (Imagine a
change the opposite of that described above -- going from 456 to 450.)
In particular, ATTENDANCE is especially important, for whether or not you actually
participate in class discussion on a particular day, attendance is necessary to even be prepared to
participate. So I’ll keep track of attendance and subtract 2 pts from the base score per absence.
With poor attendance, then, the score could be lowered quite a bit.
Here’s how the percentages convert to letter grades:
92.5—100
89.5—92.49
86.5—89.49
82.5—86.49
79.5—82.49
76.5—79.49
72.5—76.49
69.5—72.49
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
C-
66.5—69.49
62.5—66.49
59.5—62.49
below 59.5
D+
D
DF
Academic Misconduct: Cheating and Plagiarism
It is your responsibility to know and observe all the SDSU rules concerning academic integrity and
plagiarism. You should familiarize yourself with SDSU Academic Senate Policy on Plagiarism
http://senate.sdsu.edu/policy/pfacademics.html. Here are some highlights:
2.0 Definitions
2.1 Cheating shall be defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work by the use of
dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to (a) copying, in part or in
whole, from another’s test or other examination; (b) discussing answers or ideas relating to the answers on a test or other
examination without the permission of the instructor; (c) obtaining copies of a test, an examination, or other course material
without the permission of the instructor; (d) using notes, cheat sheets, or other devices considered inappropriate under the
prescribed testing condition; (e) collaborating with another or others in work to be presented without the permission of the
instructor; (f) falsifying records, laboratory work, or other course data; (g) submitting work previously presented in another
course, if contrary to the rules of the course; (h) altering or interfering with the grading procedures; (i) plagiarizing, as
defined; and (j) knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above.
2.2 Plagiarism shall be defined as the act of incorporating ideas, words, or specific substance of another, whether purchased,
borrowed, or otherwise obtained, and submitting same to the University as one’s own work to fulfill academic requirements
without giving credit to the appropriate source. Plagiarism shall include but not be limited to (a) submitting work, either in
part or in whole, completed by another; (b) omitting footnotes for ideas, statements, facts, or conclusions that belong to
another; (c) omitting quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, sentence, or part
thereof; (d) close and lengthy paraphrasing of the writings of another; (e) submitting another person’s artistic works, such as
musical compositions, photographs, paintings, drawings, or sculptures; and (f) submitting as one’s own work papers
purchased from research companies.
Student Disability Services
Any students with special needs due to a documented medical condition should avail themselves of the
resources at Student Disability Services, Calpulli Center, room 3101, (619)594-6473,
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds Students who have such concerns that might prevent them from otherwise
doing well in this course should discuss this with the instructor so that arrangements can be made.
“If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your
responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of
your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that
accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based upon disability cannot be provided until
you have presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your
cooperation is appreciated.” Pamela J. Starr, Director, Student Disability Services
Religious Observances
“By the end of the second week of classes, students should notify the instructors of affected courses of
planned absences for religious observances. Instructors shall reasonably accommodate students who
notify them in advance of planned absences for religious observances.” (p. 20, 2014-15 General Catalog).