28384 - Philosophy of Language (LM)

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to introduce students to contemporary discussions concerning the relationship between language and theory of knowledge, between logic and language, and between language and philosophy of mind. During the course, classic texts by philosophers such as Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, Quine, Kripke, Dummett, Purnam and Davidson are discussed, as well as articles by contemporary philosophers that offer original content to the current debate.

Course contents

First part (Second semester third period)

After a general introduction to the philosophy of the early and middle Wittgenstein, the course focuses on the Philosophical Investigations with a close reading of the remarks about: language-games; meaning; family resemblances; forms of life; language and psychological concepts.

The course consists of 30 hours of lectures, with 6 hours a week for 5 weeks.

A preliminary program is the following (note that it might be updated at a later stage):

Week 1 – Introduction to the Tractatus and the “middle” Wittgenstein

Weeks 2-3-4 – Philosophical Investigations, part I (language games; meaning; family resemblances; language and forms of life)

Week 5 – Philosophical Investigations, part II (language an psychological concepts).

Second part (Second semester fourth period)

The course aims to present the implications of a conception of language founded on Wittgenstein's theory of language-games and developed according to the genealogy of pragmatic studies initiated by Austin. Beyond the debate on direct or indirect influences among these authors, the course intends to describe an evolution of linguistic thought that has progressively shifted from textuality to linguistic interactions and a transactional conception of meaning. After problematizing the theory of speech acts and Grice's contributions, the course intends to offer possible articulations between the philosophy of language and interactional linguistics, passing through contributions such as those of Goffman and Habermas, and finally proposing possible syntheses in a prassematic key.

 

Readings/Bibliography

First teaching module

Readings/Bibliography

Note: Students whose native language is different from Italian may use the texts in their language, if available.

Required readings

1. Ludwig Wittgenstein, Ricerche filosofiche, Einaudi, Torino, 1974 (or later editions).

2. Luigi Perissinotto, Introduzione a Wittgenstein, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2018; chapters 5, 6, 7.

3. Further materials and readings will be available during the course.

Optional suggested readings

1. Anna Boncompagni, Wittgenstein on Forms of Life, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2022 (64 pp.)

2. Jean-Pierre Cometti, “Il linguaggio e l’imprevedibile: sull’ambiente dei pensieri”, in Il terreno del linguaggio, a cura di Silvana Borutti e Luigi Perissinotto, Carocci, Roma, 2006, pp. 91-99.

3. Rosaria Egidi, Wittgenstein filosofo della mente, Quodlibet, Macerata, 2023 – Parte IV.

4. Lars Hertzberg, Wittgenstein and the Life we Live with Language, Anthem, London, 2022, chapters 1, 4, 7, and 11.

5. David Stern, Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations: An Introduction, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2004.

Non-attending students

Non-attending students have as a required reading the full book by Perissinotto (see #2 in the required readings).

Second teaching module

Attending students can choose three readings from the basic and recommended texts, according to a prospective combination that matches their scientific interests. The readings of the articles commented on during the course will be mandatory. Individuals whose native language is not Italian can use texts in their language, if available.

Recommended Basic Readings

1.John Austin, Come fare cose con le parole, Genova, Marietti,2019 (o edizioni precedenti).

2.Filippo Domaneschi, Introduzione alla pragmatica, Roma, Carocci, Il Mulino, 2014.

3.Erving Goffman, Le condizioni di felicità, Milano, Mimesis, 2015.

Additional readings of articles will be provided during the course.

Optional Recommended Readings

1. Marina Sbisà, Detto non detto: Le forme della comunicazione implicita, Laterza, Bari, 2015

2. Daniel Vanderveken, Meaning and Speech Acts: Volume 1, Principles of Language Use, Cambridge University Press, 2009.

3. Jürgen Habermas, On the Pragmatics of Communication, Boston, MIT Press, 1988

4. Denis Vernant, Du discours à l’action, PUF, Paris, 1997.

5. Lorenza Mondada (ed.), Corps en interaction : participation, spatialité, mobilité, ENS Editions, Lyon, 2014.

6. Claudia Bianchi, Pragmatica cognitiva. I meccanismi della comunicazione, Laterza, Bari, nuova ed. 2023 (o precedenti).

7. Roberto Dionigi, La fatica di descrivere. Itinerario di Wittgenstein nel linguaggio della filosofia, Firenze, Vallecchi, Quaderni di Discipline filosofiche, 1997 (o nuova ed. Macerata, Quodlibet 2001).

Non-Attending Students

Non-attending students are required to additionally study Claudia Bianchi's text, Pragmatica del linguaggio, Rome-Bari, Laterza, 2003. In the choice of readings, this text cannot be combined with Filippo Domaneschi's Introduzione alla pragmatica. The latter, being more extensive, can potentially replace the former.

 

 

 

Teaching methods

The class includes lectures, small group activities, class presentations and discussions, and online discussions or assignments.

Assessment methods

First teaching module

The assessment will evaluate students’ critical understanding of the contents and of Wittgenstein’s peculiar philosophical style, the capacity to work in small groups and actively interact with others in a respectful way, and the capacity to build and defend a strong philosophical argument. For attending students, the assessment is based on class participation (20%), assignments or midterm tests (20%), and final paper (60%). For non-attending students, the assessment is based on a conversation with the professor (40%) and final paper (60%). These percentages are approximate and subject to updates. The final paper evaluation criteria will be available on the Virtuale platform in due time. “Attending” students are those who attend at least 2/3 of the classes.

Second teaching module

The exam consists of a conversation with the professor based on the texts chosen from the exam program. The coherence of the text choices and their critical correlation will be part of the evaluation.

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders are entitled to special adjustments according to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact teachers or Department staff but make an appointment with the Service. The Service will then determine what adjustments are specifically appropriate and get in touch with the teacher. For more information, please visit the page:

https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

Teaching tools

Various multimedia supports will be used during the course. All materials used throughout the course will be available on the e-learning platform Virtuale. In this regard, students intending to attend this course are required to register on the platform to access the teaching supports that will be an integral part of the teaching programme.

Office hours

See the website of Pierluigi Basso

See the website of Anna Boncompagni