Teaching Theory of Knowledge

Language and Knowledge

CONTRIBUTOR: Philip Peterson.

      This course examines two claims: (1) that recent results in linguistics and current linguistic theory of generative-transformational grammars support philosophical rationalism, and (2) that current empiricistic views on possessing, acquiring and using natural language are false. The philosophical consequences of linguistic theory will be covered in the writings of Noam Chomsky, with dissenting views from such writers as Putnam, Quine, Goodman, Wells, Goldman, Nagel, and Danto.

Texts

Stich, S. (ed.). Innate Ideas. Berkeley: University of California, 1975. Hereafter referred to as 'Stich'.

Fromkin, V. and Rodman, R. An Introduction to Language. Holt, Rinehart, Winston.

Chomsky, N. Language and Mind. (2nd ed.). Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1970. Excerpts from chapter 1.

Chomsky, N. Aspects of the Theory of Syntax. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. 1965.

Chomsky, N. Reflections on Language.

Chomsky, N. Rules and Representations. Columbia University Press.

Hook, S. (ed.). Language and Philosophy. New York: New York University Press, 1979. This book is presently out of print, so several chapters will have to be duplicated.

Cross Reference

For additional material concerning a priori knowledge see also "A Priori Knowledge" in the "Contemporary Sources" section and "A Priori/A Posteriori Knowledge" in the "Historical Sources" section.

Topics and Readings

Part I: A Priori Knowledge and Innate Ideas

Readings:

Stich, chapters 1-3.

Plato's recollection theory to motivate a discussion of a priori knowledge and innate ideas; the Locke-Leibniz debate to illustrate rationalism versus empiricism, focused on the issue of innate ideas; selections from Descartes and Locke, to consider innateness from different perspectives.

Part II: Linguistics

Readings:

Fromkin and Rodman.

Chomsky, Language and Mind. chapters 1 and 2.

The point of this section is to teach students enough linguistics so that they can participate fully in informed discussions of the basic themes of the course. The Fromkin and Rodman book is easy to read, even when considering such technical concepts as phonology, and so is a good text to use for this purpose.

Part III: Chomsky's Philosophical Claims

Readings:

Chomsky, Aspects of the Theory of Syntax. chapter 1.

The creative aspect of language use; language acquisition and the poverty of the stimulus; the consequent innateness of linguistic universals (formal and substantive); explanation in linguistics.

Part IV: Objection and Replies

Readings:

Stich, the Putnam-Chomsky debate; selections by Goodman, Quine, Wells, Danto, Goldman, Katz, Nagel.

The Putman-Chomsky debate; Goodman's objections (with Chomsky's replies in Language and Mind and elsewhere): Quine's brief obiection.