topics in philosophy of language I: meaning
course #: PHIL 461/561
location and time: CLE B315, Mon & Thu 10:00-11:20
instructor: Mike Raven ( mike@mikeraven.net )
office hours: CLE B323 Mon & Thu 11:30-12:30, or by appointment
course website: http://mikeraven.net/classes/uvic/meaning11
MOODLE website: http://moodle.uvic.ca/course/view.php?id=14657 (for 461)
http://moodle.uvic.ca/course/view.php?id=14658 (for 561)
(Deviations from this document made in class or on these websites overrule this document.)
overview
description
This cross-listed undergraduate/graduate seminar is about the nature of
meaning. Topics include: skepticism about meaning, foundational theories of
meaning, and semantic theories (focusing on descriptions, names, and
indexicals). Time-permitting, we will discuss some current work on meaning.
prerequisites
9 units of philosophy or permission of the department (for 461) or masters
candidacy (for 561). The material is difficult and requires familiarity with formal
logic. Students doubting their preparedness should contact the instructor.
heads-up
"Philosophy is the strangest of subjects: it aims at rigour and yet is unable to establish any results; it
attempts to deal with the most profound questions and yet constantly finds itself preoccupied with the
trivialities of language; and it claims to be of great relevance to rational enquiry and the conduct of our
life and yet is almost completely ignored. But perhaps what is strangest of all is the passion and
intensity with which it is pursued by those who have fallen in its grip." (Kit Fine)
policies
evaluation
The grade you earn is determined by the quality and timeliness of your work. You
pass only if you complete all assignments and participate in class. Your course
grade depends upon your assignments (90%) and participation (10%). The writing
guidelines in the „resources‟ section offer guidance on standards of evaluation.
Grades are given in accordance with the university‟s standard grading scheme:
A+ 100-90
B- 69-65
late work
A 89-85
C+ 64-60
A- 84-80
C 59-55
B+ 79-75
D 54-50
B 74-70
F 49-0
Extensions are granted only if a legitimate reason (e.g. illness, personal, or
religious) is provided before the due date. Late work will be penalized one full
letter grade per day late. Do not expect comments on late work.
If you do not expect to complete an assignment on time, submit what you have
done on time and submit the completed assignment as soon as possible
thereafter; an incomplete but timely submission shows a good faith effort and
might receive a higher grade than a complete but late submission.
extra credit
There is no extra credit; no exceptions.
plagiarism
Academic dishonesty is not tolerated. See the University Calendar for the
university‟s statement on academic integrity (e.g. plagiarism, cheating, etc.).
texts
required
The Philosophy of Language, 5th edition, Martinich (ed.)
recommend
Semantic Relationism, Fine
Semantics in Generative Grammar, Heim and Kratzer
Naming and Necessity, Kripke
The Things We Mean, Schiffer
Logic for Philosophy, Sider
Philosophy of Language, Soames
What is Meaning?, Soames
* Most readings are in Martinich‟s anthology (labeled „[M#]‟, where „#‟ is the chapter number) or
online. The rest may be photocopied from copies stored in the lounge‟s filing cabinet.
reading schedule
What follows is a tentative reading schedule. It is ambitious; we will do our best.
meaning and semantics
week 1 (Jan 6)
Introduction
meaning, communication , and speech acts
week 2 (Jan 10,13)
“The Thought”, Frege [M1]
“Logic and Conversation”, Grice [M11]
week 3 (Jan 17,20)
“Meaning”, Grice [M6]
“What is a Speech Act?”, Searle
case study: the verificationist theory of meaning and its demise
week 4 (Jan 24,27)
Language, Truth, and Logic (excerpts), Ayer
“Two Dogmas of Empiricism”, Quine [M3]
skepticisms about meaning
week 5 (Jan 31,Feb 3)
Word and Object (sections 7-9,12), Quine [M38]
Wittgenstein: On Rules and Private Language (excerpts), Kripke [M43]
“Skepticism about Meaning: Indeterminacy, Normativity, and
the Rule-Following Paradox”, Soames
truth-conditional semantics
Recommended: Philosophy of Language (chapters 2-3), Soames
“The Semantic Conception of Truth”, Tarski [M5]
week 6 (Feb 7,10)
“Truth and Meaning”, Davidson [M7]
week 7 (Feb 14,17)
“Languages and Language”, Lewis [M45]
“What‟s Truth Got to Do With It?”, Horwich
semantics: descriptions, names, and indexicals
Recommended: Philosophy of Language (chapters 1,4), Soames
week 8 (Feb 28,Mar 3)
“On Sense and Reference”, Frege [M14]
“On Denoting”, Russell [M16]
“On Referring”, Strawson
week 9 (Mar 7,10)
[M17]
“Reference and Definite Descriptions”, Donnellan [M19]
“Speaker‟s Reference and Semantic Reference”, Kripke
week 10 (Mar 14,17)
Naming and Necessity (excerpts), Kripke [M21]
“Meaning and Reference”, Putnam [M22]
“The Causal Theory of Reference”, Unger
week 11 (Mar 21,24)
“The Problem of the Essential Indexical”, Perry [M27]
“A Puzzle about Belief”, Kripke [M32]
new waves in semantics and/or catch-up
weeks 12 (Mar 28,31)
The Things We Mean (chapters 1-2), Schiffer
Semantic Relationism (excerpts), Fine
What is Meaning? (excerpts), Soames
assignments
Undergraduate
option 1
Paper 1 (5 pages)
Paper 2 (5 pages)
An approved topic
Another approved topic
DUE:
Undergraduate
option 2
Paper 1 (5 pages)
Paper 2 (10 pages)
An approved topic
Expansion of first topic
DUE:
Graduate
Paper 1 (5-7 pages)
Paper 2 (12-15 pages)
An approved topic
Expansion of first topic
DUE:
DUE:
March 3
March 31
March 3
DUE: March 31
March 3
DUE: March 31
resources
J. Bennett and S. Goroviz (June 1997), "Improving Academic Writing", Teaching Philosophy 20
Jim Pryor's guide to philosophical terms and methods
http://www.jimpryor.net/teaching/vocab/
Jim Pryor's guide to reading philosophy
http://www.jimpryor.net/teaching/guidelines/reading.html
Jim Pryor's guide to writing philosophy
http://www.jimpryor.net/teaching/guidelines/writing.html
Mike Raven's philosophy paper advice
http://mikeraven.net/docs/[Raven] Philosophy paper advice.pdf