PHL 481 Analytic Philosophy (3 credits)

An introduction to the language-oriented way of approaching philosophical issues that is widely practiced in English-speaking countries and, increasingly, elsewhere. The course will focus on a major concern of this philosophical tradition: questions concerning the nature of language itself. What makes a series of sounds or inscriptions "meaningful" and able to effect interpersonal communication? Must language "represent" the world in order to be meaningful? Does failure to grasp the underlying logic of our language lead to philosophical confusion?