Philosophy of Language: Intriguing Puzzles and Paradoxes

This lecture is about a skeptical problem developed by Kripke according to his reading of Wittgenstein. Students will be able to identify the skeptical problem, learn about dispositionalism and the normativity thesis of meaning, and explore a possible solution to the skeptical problem.

Recommended reading: From On Rules and Private Language (1982), Saul Kripke in The Philosophy of Language Edition 6 by Martinich and Sosa.

In this lecture, we look at the Sorites Paradox and a view called Supervaluationism. Problems with supervaluationism are discussed.

Students will be able to identify the sorites paradox, learn about supervaluationism, and identify problems with supervaluationism.

Recommended reading:

Chapters 1-2 of Vagueness by Timothy Williamson.

Supervaluationism in Theories of Vagueness by Rosanna Keefe

Chapter 5 of Vagueness by Timothy Williamson

In this lecture, we explore epistemicism, identify the argument from supervenience of meaning on use, and discuss Timothy Williamson's Margin of Error argument.

Students will learn about epistemicism and identify problems with epistemicism.

Recommended reading:

Chapters 7-8 of Vagueness by Timothy Williamson

The epistemic view of vagueness in Theories of Vagueness by Rosanna Keefe

We will look at two arguments Quine gives against the existence of the analytic/synthetic distinction. Students will be able to identify Quine's arguments, learn what confirmation holism is, and learn about the notions of analyticity and synonymy.

Recommended reading: Two Dogmas of Empiricism (1951), W. V. Quine in The Philosophy of Language Edition 6 by Martinich and Sosa.

In this first part of the lecture on Davidson's theory of meaning, we will look at Davidson's proposal for a theory of meaning. Students will learn about the Fregean theory of meaning, the non-triviality requirement, and the compositionality thesis of meaning.

Recommended reading: Truth and Meaning (1967), Donald Davidson in The Philosophy of Language Edition 6 by Martinich and Sosa.

In this second part of the lecture on Davidson's theory of meaning, we will examine Davidson's argument for the truth theory of meaning. In the process, the issues of understanding a truth-condition and of the level of understanding of a truth-condition will emerge. We will explore potential problems for Davidson's argument, including the problems of demonstratives and of belief ascription.

Students will be able to identify Davidson's truth theory of meaning, assess his argument for the truth theory of meaning, and gain a sense of the limitation of theoretical activity.

In the conclusion, I congratulate you on your accomplishment.