Master
2026/2027
Problems of the Contemporary Philosophy of Language
Type:
Elective course (Philosophical Studies)
Delivered by:
School of Philosophy and Cultural Studies
Where:
Faculty of Humanities
When:
1 year, 3 module
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
48
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The general overview of the basic issues of the contemporary philosophy of language. Contemporary Philosophy of Language started with seminal work of G. Frege and developed through the work of G.E. Moore, B. Russell and L. Wittgenstein to the philosophy of ordinary language of G. Ryle and G.L. Austin. Later the main focus of Philosophy of Language was shifted by the work W.V.O. Quine to the Theory of Reference which constitutes the main problem of Contemporary Philosophy of Language.
Learning Objectives
- The aim of the course is to provide students with a general overview of the basic issues of the contemporary philosophy of language.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- master Davidson's views on semantics and ontology of events
- master Frege's views about the meaning and reference
- master the distinction between semantics and pragmatics
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Concise encyclopedia of philosophy of language and linguistics, , 2010
- McGinn, C. (2015). Philosophy of Language : The Classics Explained. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=956432
- Paul H. Portner, & Barbara H. Partee. (2008). Formal Semantics : The Essential Readings. [N.p.]: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=231496
- Spreading the word : groundings in the philosophy of language, Blackburn, S., 2004
- Zimmermann, T. E., & Sternefeld, W. (2013). Introduction to Semantics : An Essential Guide to the Composition of Meaning. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=604253