Classic Texts in Philosophy of Language

Language and Beyond: Philosophy, Computer Science, Linguistics

Language has a central place in our lives – we use it to communicate thoughts, emotions, and information to
others – and because of its everyday use, language seems unproblematic to us. This seminar invites students
not to take language for granted. We will read and discuss classic texts from the philosophy of language, get
to know the core topics of the field, and discuss how these questions apply to current questions such as:
• How can strings of symbols (called ‘words’ and ‘sentences’) have a meaning?
• Do machines – like ChatGPT – process language as we humans do?
• What are the boundaries of language, and is there something that language cannot express?
This seminar introduces students to recent debates on the meaning, function, and limits of language as well
as on its relevance in our understanding of the world. All texts will be in English; the discussion of the texts
will be in English and German, depending on the students’ preferences. Students in philosophy, computer
science, linguistics, and students with interdisciplinary interests are welcome. The seminar does not require
any previous knowledge. It can be followed autonomously or in conjunction with the lecture Introduction to
Formal Languages: Applications and Philosophical Questions.