Preface to the third edition
Introduction
1. Naïve semantics and the language of logic
2. Fregean semantics
3. Russellian semantics
4. Russell’s theory of judgement, the early Wittgenstein, and logical positivism
5. The late Wittgenstein
6. Quine’s philosophy of language
7. Kripke on naming and necessity
8. Context dependence, indexicality and natural kinds
9. Pragmatics
10. Davidson’s philosophy of language
11. The propositional attitudes
12. Chomsky’s Universal Grammar
13. Modern directions I
14. Modern directions II.
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Biography
Gary Kemp is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, UK. He has authored or edited various books and articles in the philosophy of language, including Quine versus Davidson: Truth, Reference and Meaning.
'… Gary Kemp offers readers—especially philosophy instructors—a fresh way of thinking about the subject. … Ultimately, this textbook is slightly more comprehensive than existing options, offers more pedagogically useful study questions, and is a bit more accessible to students looking to continue exploring philosophy beyond their introductory class. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and community colleges.' - L. A. Wilkinson, CHOICE
Praise for previous editions:
'This book is an outstanding pedagogical tool, which will be useful to anyone looking to gain a foothold in the subject. The second edition, which features new chapters on key figures, prominent topics, and recent developments in the field, is a substantial and welcome development of the excellent first edition.' - Brett Sherman, University of South Carolina, USA
'Will become the standard textbook for survey courses in the philosophy of language.' - Ernest Lepore, Rutgers University, USA
'To my mind this is the best introductory textbook for undergraduates looking to get a feel for the subject, without getting bogged down in advanced technical details. Gary Kemp covers all the traditional topics in the field and presents them in an accessible, engaging, and always rigorous style. Appended to each chapter are useful historical notes, a summary, a few questions, and some bibliographical recommendations for further research - a complete set of study aids that ought to be welcomed by students and teachers alike.' - Stefano Predelli, University of Nottingham, UK
'An easy, step by step journey through the classic themes of twentieth-century philosophy of language.' - François Recanati, Institut Jean Nicod, France
'Kemp has written a genuine introduction to the philosophy of language with beginning students in mind. Focusing on the issue of the meaning of natural language, he begins with a naive and, for students, very natural view of linguistic meaning. He then motivates and explains the distinctions, problems, solutions and development of the philosophy of language with the patience and understanding of a master teacher.' - Michael Losonsky, Colorado State University, USA
