Philosophy of Language
A.Y. 2024/2025
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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title: Language, belief and knowledge
The course is an introduction to the basic issues in the philosophy of mind and in epistemology and will address the following problems:
(a) How does language capture the content of our beliefs?
(b) What is the difference between believing that something is true and knowing that something is true?
The course is an introduction to the basic issues in the philosophy of mind and in epistemology and will address the following problems:
(a) How does language capture the content of our beliefs?
(b) What is the difference between believing that something is true and knowing that something is true?
Prerequisites for admission
No requirements
Teaching methods
Lectures and discussion with students. Each class includes a Q&A session.
Teaching Resources
The program is the same both for students who attend the class and for students who don't.
Exam for 9 CFU:
1. G. Kemp, What is this thing called Philosophy of Language? , Introduzione, capp. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8. Routledge, 2017, Seconda edizione.
2. D. Pritchard, What is this thing called knowledge?, Routledge, 2018, IV edizione,
3. Calabi, Coliva, Sereni e Volpe (a cura di), Teorie della conoscenza . Il dibattito contemporaneo, 2015 Cortina editore (selection of essays)
4. Slides and other support material available on Ariel during the semester.
6 CFU:
1. G. Kemp, What is this thing called Philosophy of Language? , Introduzione, capp. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8. Routledge, 2017, Seconda edizione.
2. D. Pritchard, What is this thing called knowledge?, Routledge, 2018, IV edizione
3. Calabi, Coliva, Sereni e Volpe (a cura di), Teorie della conoscenza . Il dibattito contemporaneo, 2015 Cortina editore, selection of essays
4. slides and other support material available on MyAriel during the semester.
Exam for 9 CFU:
1. G. Kemp, What is this thing called Philosophy of Language? , Introduzione, capp. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8. Routledge, 2017, Seconda edizione.
2. D. Pritchard, What is this thing called knowledge?, Routledge, 2018, IV edizione,
3. Calabi, Coliva, Sereni e Volpe (a cura di), Teorie della conoscenza . Il dibattito contemporaneo, 2015 Cortina editore (selection of essays)
4. Slides and other support material available on Ariel during the semester.
6 CFU:
1. G. Kemp, What is this thing called Philosophy of Language? , Introduzione, capp. 1, 2, 3, 5, 8. Routledge, 2017, Seconda edizione.
2. D. Pritchard, What is this thing called knowledge?, Routledge, 2018, IV edizione
3. Calabi, Coliva, Sereni e Volpe (a cura di), Teorie della conoscenza . Il dibattito contemporaneo, 2015 Cortina editore, selection of essays
4. slides and other support material available on MyAriel during the semester.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is ORAL. It aims at assessing the student's knowledge of the readings and other relevant material.
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
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday 10.00 - 13.00. Covid emergency: office hours are held online via Skype or by telephone. Please send me an e-mail to make an appointment.
Festa del Perdono, 7 - Cortile Ghiacciaia, II piano. Please write an e-mail to make an appointment