Scott Soames Bücher

In this book, Scott Soames argues that the revolution in the study of language and mind that has taken place since the late nineteenth century must be rethought. The central insight in the reigning tradition is that propositions are representational. To know the meaning of a sentence or the content of a belief requires knowing which things it represents as being which ways, and therefore knowing what the world must be like if it is to conform to how the sentence or belief represents it. These are truth conditions of the sentence or belief. But meanings and representational contents are not truth conditions, and there is more to propositions than representational content. In addition to imposing conditions the world must satisfy if it is to be true, a proposition may also impose conditions on minds that entertain it. The study of mind and language cannot advance further without a conception of propositions that allows them to have contents of both of these sorts. Soames provides it. He does so by arguing that propositions are repeatable, purely representational cognitive acts or operations that represent the world as being a certain way, while requiring minds that perform them to satisfy certain cognitive conditions. Because they have these two type of content - one facing the world and one facing the mind - pairs of propositions can be representationally identical but cognitively distinct. Using this breakthrough, Soames offers new solutions to several of the most perplexing problems in the philosophy of language and mind. -- from dust jacket

Focusing on the philosophical revolution initiated by Kripke, Putnam, and Kaplan, Scott Soames defends their anti-descriptivist stance against recent critiques aiming to restore descriptivism and internalism. He highlights the emergence of two-dimensional modal logic, a technical framework that challenges the profound implications of concepts like the necessary a posteriori and the contingent a priori. Soames argues that this reinterpretation undermines the foundational significance of these categories in contemporary philosophy, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their original philosophical insights.

The book offers a comprehensive history of analytic philosophy while also contributing to the field itself. It explores key issues that have influenced the discipline, providing insights into its achievements and shortcomings. Soames's analysis invites readers to reflect on the evolution of analytic thought, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the subject.

A masterful overview of the philosophy of language from one of its most important thinkers In this book one of the world's foremost philosophers of language presents his unifying vision of the field—its principal achievements, its most pressing current questions, and its most promising future directions. In addition to explaining the progress philosophers have made toward creating a theoretical framework for the study of language, Scott Soames investigates foundational concepts—such as truth, reference, and meaning—that are central to the philosophy of language and important to philosophy as a whole. The first part of the book describes how philosophers from Frege, Russell, Tarski, and Carnap to Kripke, Kaplan, and Montague developed precise techniques for understanding the languages of logic and mathematics, and how these techniques have been refined and extended to the study of natural human languages. The book then builds on this account, exploring new thinking about propositions, possibility, and the relationship between meaning, assertion, and other aspects of language use. An invaluable overview of the philosophy of language by one of its most important practitioners, this book will be essential reading for all serious students of philosophy.

"Philosophical investigation is the root of all human knowledge. Developing new concepts, reinterpreting old truths, and reconceptualizing fundamental questions, philosophy has progressed--and driven human progress--for more than two millennia. In short, we live in a world philosophy made. In this concise history of philosophy's world-shaping impact, Scott Soames demonstrates that the modern world--including its science, technology, and politics--simply would not be possible without the accomplishments of philosophy. Firmly rebutting the misconception of philosophy as ivory-tower thinking, Soames traces its essential contributions to fields as diverse as law and logic, psychology and economics, relativity and rational decision theory. Beginning with the giants of ancient Greek philosophy, The World Philosophy Made chronicles the achievements of the great thinkers, from the medieval and early modern eras to the present. It explores how philosophy has shaped our language, science, mathematics, religion, culture, morality, education, and politics, as well as our understanding of ourselves. Philosophy's idea of rational inquiry as the key to theoretical knowledge and practical wisdom has transformed the world in which we live. From the laws that govern society to the digital technology that permeates modern life, philosophy has opened up new possibilities and set us on more productive paths. The World Philosophy Made explains and illuminates as never before the inexhaustible richness of philosophy and its influence on our individual and collective lives." -- Provided by publisher

Focusing on the evolution of modal logic within analytic philosophy, this volume explores key developments from the late 19th to the 20th century. It highlights the contributions of Saul Kripke, who introduced innovative modal systems, and W.V.O. Quine, who challenged established concepts of meaning and reference. The text examines the historical trajectory of modal logic, beginning with C. I. Lewis's critiques and extending through significant works by Ruth Marcus and Rudolph Carnap, culminating in a discussion of Kripke's influential "Naming and Necessity."

The book features a carefully curated collection of high-quality selections from Soames's work, praised for its exceptional organization. This compilation serves as a valuable resource for scholars, making important papers readily accessible for study and research.

Focusing on linguistic meaning and the philosophical significance of language, this collection features thirty-one essays by renowned philosopher Scott Soames, showcasing his insights over nearly thirty years. It includes a mix of sixteen essays from the 1980s and 1990s, nine from the 2000s, and six newly written pieces, offering a comprehensive view of his evolving thoughts on language. This judicious selection highlights the depth and breadth of Soames' contributions to the field of philosophy.

Challenging traditional theories of meaning, this work argues that classical propositions are nonexistent and that truth conditions alone are insufficient for a comprehensive theory of meaning. The author, a prominent philosopher of language, presents an innovative approach to address these philosophical dilemmas, offering fresh insights into the complexities of meaning and its implications for understanding language.