Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome | |||
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Language, philosophy: language is a set of phonetic or written coded forms fixed at a time for the exchange of information or distinctions within a community whose members are able to recognize and interpret these forms as signs or symbols. In a wider sense, language is also a sign system, which can be processed by machines. See also communication, language rules, meaning, meaning change, information, signs, symbols, words, sentences, syntax, semantics, grammar, pragmatics, translation, interpretation, radical interpretation, indeterminacy._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
Author | Concept | Summary/Quotes | Sources |
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Ian Hacking on Language - Dictionary of Arguments
I 228 Language/Hacking: thesis: language was invented out of boredom, to tell each other jokes around the campfire. (The thesis goes back to the Leakey family). Thesis: the first word that was needed was something to express: "real", e.g. "No, not this, but this here is real": The rest could be pointed at. >"Real"/Austin, >Reference, >Pointing. Even before the name (for absent objects) was available one needed logical constants. >Logical constants. Instead of "Me Tarzan, you Jane": "This real". Once a way of representing is found (e.g. pointing), it is followed by a second-order term. >Representation. VsHacking: it is pointless to set up a theory that cannot be confirmed. >Method. >Language evolution._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Hacking I I. Hacking Representing and Intervening. Introductory Topics in the Philosophy of Natural Science, Cambridge/New York/Oakleigh 1983 German Edition: Einführung in die Philosophie der Naturwissenschaften Stuttgart 1996 |