Locke's philosophy of language / Walter R. Ott.

By:

Ott, Walter R [author.]

Contributor(s):

Cambridge eBooks

Publisher: Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2004Description: 1 online resource (vii, 159 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)Content type:

text

Media type:

computer

Carrier type:

online resource

ISBN:

9780511487293 (ebook)

Subject(s):

Genre/Form:

Electronic books.

Additional physical formats: Print version: : No titleDDC classification:

121/.68/092 21

LOC classification:

P85.L58 O88 2004

Online resources:

Click here to access online

Contents:

1. Signs and signification -- 2. Particles and propositions -- 3. Essence and abstraction -- 4. Locke contra the Aristotelians: signification and definition -- 5. Beyond the bounds of sense?

Summary: This book examines John Locke's claims about the nature and workings of language. Walter Ott proposes an interpretation of Locke's thesis in which words signify ideas in the mind of the speaker, and argues that rather than employing such notions as sense or reference, Locke relies on an ancient tradition that understands signification as reliable indication. He then uses this interpretation to explain crucial areas of Locke's metaphysics and epistemology, including essence, abstraction, knowledge and mental representation. His discussion challenges many of the orthodox readings of Locke, and will be of interest to historians of philosophy and philosophers of language alike.

Item type:

eBooks

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Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

1. Signs and signification -- 2. Particles and propositions -- 3. Essence and abstraction -- 4. Locke contra the Aristotelians: signification and definition -- 5. Beyond the bounds of sense?

This book examines John Locke's claims about the nature and workings of language. Walter Ott proposes an interpretation of Locke's thesis in which words signify ideas in the mind of the speaker, and argues that rather than employing such notions as sense or reference, Locke relies on an ancient tradition that understands signification as reliable indication. He then uses this interpretation to explain crucial areas of Locke's metaphysics and epistemology, including essence, abstraction, knowledge and mental representation. His discussion challenges many of the orthodox readings of Locke, and will be of interest to historians of philosophy and philosophers of language alike.