Philosophy of Language
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The aim of teaching is to provide students with knowledge about the topics and problems which characterize the contemporary debate in the philosophy of language and its recent theoretical development. The knowledge and the competences acquired are useful for activities centred on logical reasoning, activities of communication, and editorial activities.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
- Knowledge of some contemporary debates in the philosophy of language.
- Basic knowledge of some notions of semantics, pragmatics, metaphysics, and logics with regard to the philosophy of language.
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
- Capacity of identify in a rigorous and critical way some problems which spark philosophical debate on language and mind.
- Capacity to analyze some arguments in the philosophy of language and to present the objections which have been raised in their context, also with regard to arguments in the philosophy of mind.
- Capacity of reconstructing a philosophical debate about language, delineating affinities and differences among various theoretical positions, some of them relevant in the context of the philosophy of mind.
- Knowledge of some contemporary debates in the philosophy of language.
- Basic knowledge of some notions of semantics, pragmatics, metaphysics, and logics with regard to the philosophy of language.
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding
- Capacity of identify in a rigorous and critical way some problems which spark philosophical debate on language and mind.
- Capacity to analyze some arguments in the philosophy of language and to present the objections which have been raised in their context, also with regard to arguments in the philosophy of mind.
- Capacity of reconstructing a philosophical debate about language, delineating affinities and differences among various theoretical positions, some of them relevant in the context of the philosophy of mind.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course will investigate the following issues:
(a) Is language an instinct?
(b) Does language determine/reflect the way we see the world?
(c) Does language play a role in the construction of social categories?
(a) Is language an instinct?
(b) Does language determine/reflect the way we see the world?
(c) Does language play a role in the construction of social categories?
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisite other than those required to access the program.
Teaching methods
Lectures and discussion with students. Each class includes a Q&A session on the assignment for the class.
Teaching Resources
The program is the same both for students who attend the class and for students who don't.
For the 9 CFU exam you should study the following:
Chomsky N., Linguaggio e problemi della conoscenza, Il Mulino, 2016
Moro A., I confini di Babele. Il cervello e il mistero delle lingue impossibili, Il Mulino, 2015
Guy Deutscher, La lingua colora il mondo. Come le parole deformano la realtà, Bollati Boringhieri 2016
Claudia Bianchi, Hate speech: il lato oscuro del linguaggio, Laterza, 2021
+ slides, readings e other support material available on Ariel for each class.
For the 6 CFU exam you should study the following:
Chomsky N., Linguaggio e problemi della conoscenza, Il Mulino, 2016
Moro A., I confini di Babele. Il cervello e il mistero delle lingue impossibili, Il Mulino, 2015
Guy Deutscher, La lingua colora il mondo. Come le parole deformano la realtà, Bollati Boringhieri 2016
+ slides, readings e other support material available on Ariel for each class (except for the classes on concerning unit (c).
For the 9 CFU exam you should study the following:
Chomsky N., Linguaggio e problemi della conoscenza, Il Mulino, 2016
Moro A., I confini di Babele. Il cervello e il mistero delle lingue impossibili, Il Mulino, 2015
Guy Deutscher, La lingua colora il mondo. Come le parole deformano la realtà, Bollati Boringhieri 2016
Claudia Bianchi, Hate speech: il lato oscuro del linguaggio, Laterza, 2021
+ slides, readings e other support material available on Ariel for each class.
For the 6 CFU exam you should study the following:
Chomsky N., Linguaggio e problemi della conoscenza, Il Mulino, 2016
Moro A., I confini di Babele. Il cervello e il mistero delle lingue impossibili, Il Mulino, 2015
Guy Deutscher, La lingua colora il mondo. Come le parole deformano la realtà, Bollati Boringhieri 2016
+ slides, readings e other support material available on Ariel for each class (except for the classes on concerning unit (c).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is an oral discussion aimed at assessing the student's knowledge of the texts and the material for the course.
Unita' didattica A
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-FIL/05 - PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY OF LANGUAGE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours