Book Description
Philosophy of Language introduces the non-specialist to the main issues and theories in twentieth-century philosophy of language, focusing specifically on linguistic phenomena. Part I explores several theories of how proper names, descriptions, and other terms bear a referential relation to non-linguistic objects. Part II surveys competing theories of linguistic meaning and compares their various advantages and liabilities. Part III introduces the basic concepts of linguistic pragmatics, includes a detailed discussion of the problems of indirect force, and Part IV examines linguistic theories of metaphor.
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This book introduces the student to the main issues and theories in 20th century philosophy of language, focusing specifically on linguistic phenomena.
Customer Reviews:
Better May be Available.......2007-09-01
Philosophy of Language by William Lycan is an instalment in the Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy Series. This series is intended to provide a bridge between introductory and advanced study, primarily aimed at students/readers with some prior exposure to academic philosophy.
Overall, this is a solid addition to the contemporary introductions series. Philosophy of language can be an arcane and jargon-laden field. Lycan's methodology is generally helpful, introducing many of the key thinkers, and concepts, in the modern philosophy of language tradition (e.g. Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, etc.) The approach employed in the text is to introduce a philosopher's key thoughts then consider objections and potential retorts. This is not a bad tactic, however, from my perspective greater focus on a few key points would be preferable to the current emphasis on breadth (some of the points are too trivial or technical for an introductory text). Each section is followed by a summary of key points, questions for discussion and suggestions for further reading. Additionally, from a physical standpoint the paper back version is well constructed and has a usable font size.
Strengths aside, two stylistic weaknesses reduced my enjoyment of the text and its ultimate utility. The more trivial is the author's excessive self-reference, e.g. "your humble narrator", "you were expecting me to recommend someone else {referring to himself)?" etc. I think that this may have been done with the intention of adding levity to an otherwise dense and potentially dry subject. It was, however, over done and distracting; most of these comments should be removed. The second, and more significant, weakness is style. There is academic writing that is pleasant and flowing, and then there is writing that is laborious and plodding. Unfortunately, this text is in the latter category- even being familiar with the material I found myself constantly having to re-read sections in order to get the point. I fear that if used as a textbook it may turn students off this field.
Upon reflection, I realize that my muted reaction to the book has two components; how the topic is approached and articulated (discussed above), and the subject itself. On this latter point, though intellectually interesting in its own right, much later-day work in this field by Searle, Grice, Davidson, et al, strikes me as adding little real value. Their type of logical-linguistic minutia, though fascinating in its own way, seems analogous to some of the worst medieval theological musings. To progress, and contribute to knowledge, it appears that analytical philosophers of language needs to blend with the behavioural sciences and consider communication from a broader perspective.
Overall, a solid if dry piece of academic writing. A background in analytic philosophy may be required to fully engage with, and integrate, this material. Although, I do not have a ready recommendation there are likely better introductory texts available.
A pleasure to read.......2005-01-20
I just want to echo the other reviewers. This is a wonderful introductory text. I am a law professor who is interested in learning more about philosophy of language. This was the first book I read, and it fit the bill wonderfully. It provides a nice overview of major debates in the field. And it is accessible, logically structured, and fun to read. It certainly warrants five stars. I hasten to add that I do not know (and have never met) the author of this book (I believe such disclaimers are necessary when reviewing books on amazon).
The best book for beginners in philosophy of language.......2002-08-10
This is THE book for beginners to have. It's a rare philosopher who knows what the word "introduction" means in a book title; most seem to write so-called introductory books as though the audience is professional philosophers.
Finally I have some idea what Russell, Frege, Strawson, Donnellan and others were trying to say. And I know why it is not the case that the present king of France is bald.
excellent phil of lang overview.......2002-01-04
this book has several things going for it:
first, it is an informative and brief, yet thorough, introduction to some central issues in the philosophy of language. for each issue, lycan summarizes the problems to be solved, explains some theories with which prominent philosophers have attempted to solve them, and provides possible objections and replies to those theories. lycan links each issue smoothly with the next, so that the reader sees clearly how the different problems in the field are related.
second, the reader is provided with chapter introductions, chapter summaries, review questions, and a long bibliography.
third, lycan makes his text entertaining with some great sarcasm, and by creating humorous (yet effective) examples. i actually laughed out loud several times while reading this text.
overall, this is a great book. i highly recommend it to beginners in the philosophy of language.
Excellent.......2000-11-11
If you are going to understand contemporary philosophy, you have to understand the philosophy of language. Prof. Lycan's book is an excellent introduction. First, it is very clearly written and, second, it avoids excessive use of logical symbolism. My only complaints are that there could have been a longer discussion of Frege and more discussion of how questions raised impact other areas of philosophy such as metaphysics and religion. However, Prof. Lycan tells us that these matters will be taken up in the other works in the Routledge Contemporary Introduction to Philosophy series.
Book Description
Philosophy of Art is a textbook for undergraduate students interested in the topic of philosophical aesthetics. It aims to introduce the techniques of analytic philosophy in addition to a selection of the major topics in this field of inquiry. These include the representational theory of art, formalism, neo-formalism, aesthetic theories of art, neo-Wittgensteinism, the Institutional Theory of Art, as well as historical approaches to the nature of art. Throughout the book, abstract philosophical theories are illustrated by examples of both traditional and contemporary art, thereby enriching the readers understanding of art theory as well as the appreciation of art.
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Philosophy of Art is a textbook for undergraduate students interested in the topic of philosophical aesthetics, introducing the techniques of analytic philosophy in addition to a selection of the major topics in this area.
Customer Reviews:
HORRIBLE.......2002-12-04
This book is the worst book i ever read in my life. I wouldn't recommend this to anybody. Carroll doesn't know what the hell she is talking about, let alone know anything about art.
Beach Reading.......2002-08-21
This is what I packed to the lake this summer. The suspense of following art thinking from verisimitude to conceptualism. The romance of potent examples from the history of art! The tragedy of the Fall of the aesthetic enterprise. The hope of uncovering the as-yet unsolved mysteries in defining a work of Art. All told with, if not humor, at least honsety.
Average customer rating:
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Soviet Philosophy: A General Introduction to Contemporary Soviet Thought (Sovietica)
J.E. Blakeley
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A must-have for anyone interested in the history of jewelry!.......2001-07-14
So many books written today about jewelry tend to be heavy on beautiful images, but lacking in useful information. Toni Greenbaum's Messengers of Modernism is truly an exception. With its well written introduction, the author places these jewelers within the cultural context of their time, providing us with a glimpse of the creative environment that fostered such fabulous works. The book is profusely illustrated and highlights the careers of each jeweler/artist. The inclusion of period photos is an added bonus and hints of the artists' individual personalities. Messengers of Modernism is a valuable reference for anyone interested in this fascinating period of jewelry history.
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- You might want to have the 2nd volume at hand before reading the 1st volume!
- Liaden Universe Prequel
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- Crystal Soldier
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Crystal Soldier (Liaden Universe Novel)
Sharon Lee , and
Steve Miller
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Plan B
ASIN: 0441014879 |
Book Description
M. Jela Granthor's Guard is a soldier who was born to be a soldier, a soldier whose genes were selected before birth, whose life was chosen for him as one of service and dedication.
Cantra yos'Phelium is an ace pilot and a thoroughgoing rogue. She trades the dark and the gray markets along the war-torn Rim, running solo, with an eye on her own profit.
When fate casts them together, they form an unlikely-and uncomfortable-alliance, the soldier intent on his mission, the pirate intent on her survival...
Customer Reviews:
You might want to have the 2nd volume at hand before reading the 1st volume!.......2007-08-31
Somehow, I only discovered these authors' "Liaden" series of very well written space opera with _Balance of Trade_. And this new one was written after that, so I seem to be working backwards. The protagonists this time are, first, M. Jela, a "generalist" and a very unusual sort of soldier, working to try to defeat an ancient enemy that has decided the universe would be a much tidier place without so many people and star systems in it. And it's not at all certain they can be defeated. Second, caught up in this struggle entirely against her will is Cantra vos'Phelium, a very specially-bred human and a ship's pilot of very considerable talent and ability. They come together by accident, join forces by necessity, and gradually come to depend on each other, and it all happens in an entirely believable way. Then there's the third member of the crew -- an intelligent and telepathic tree, rescued from a dying world by Jela. All this seems to have taken place in the distant past, incidently, as seen from the perspective of _Balance of Trade_ -- which makes it a prequel, sort of. The dialogue -- both spoken and unspoken -- is skillfully done and the descriptions are crisp and vivid. The plotting is also nicely thought out. My only complaint is that this is the first half of a two-decker and the ending is very abrupt. I HATE cliffhangers! (Patience, patience. . . .)
ADDENDUM: Okay, having subsequently read all the earlier novels set in the Liaden universe, I now understand that Jela and Cantra are the near-mythic founders of Liad itself, Cantra being the captain of the ship that transports the refugee clans to their new home -- all this subsequent to the action in _Crystal Soldier_ (maybe in the second volume), but a thousand years in the past from the perspective of the _Agent of Change_ sub-series.
Liaden Universe Prequel.......2007-05-17
If you have read any of the earlier books, you have seen references to Jela's Tree - a tree with illusions of mysticism. Get to the root of the mystery in this novel of the early years of the Liaden Universe when Jela first encountered the tree. As always, the authors deliver great characters and intriguing plot lines. This book and its conclusion, Crystal Dragon, are well worth the price!
Science fiction.......2007-01-10
This story was good and the characters well developed. It kept my interest and provoked interesting thought.
I was waiting for this book, but-.......2005-12-01
I was wanting to see how the Liaden universe had began, but I really didn't get many answers from this book.The plotting is not up to the authors usual pace, and the characters are wooden. I really wanted to like this book, but I couldn't. I will skip the sequel, and wait for the authors to come back to their liaden roots.
Crystal Soldier.......2005-11-29
This book was very enjoyable and my first introduction to the Liaden universe. Despite the numerous reviewers that don't recommend reading this one unless one is already a Liaden fan, I am looking forward to the next installment, Crystal Dragon. Meanwhile, I found some of the previously written books and will read those while I'm waiting. Lee and Miller are excellent authors and they have no difficulty keeping the readers interest, even if one is new to the series. Crystal Soldier is engaging and somewhat intense in spots as it introduces the reader to the complex personalities of Jela and Cantra. I would recommend starting this series wherever one likes, since as far as I can tell, any one of these books may lead to a strong urge to read more.
Book Description
"There's an old saying in Tennessee -- I know it's in Texas,
probably in Tennessee -- that says, fool me once, shame on --
shame on you. Fool me -- you can't get fooled again."
With signature remarks like these, it's hardly surprising that George W. Bush's malapropisms have become renowned around the world. Editions of Bushisms have become bestsellers in Germany, France, and Italy, and they remain as popular in the United States as ever. Jacob Weisberg, faithful scribe, here presents the best of the latest crop:
"There's only one person who hugs the mothers and the widows,
the wives and the kids upon the death of their loved one. Others
hug but having committed the troops, I've got an additional
responsibility to hug and that's me and I know what it's like."
"I'm the master of low expectations."
"First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill."
Download Description
"""There's an old saying in Tennessee -- I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee -- that says, fool me once, shame on -- shame on you. Fool me -- you can't get fooled again."" With signature remarks like these, it's hardly surprising that George W. Bush's malapropisms have become renowned around the world. Editions of Bushisms have become bestsellers in Germany, France, and Italy, and they remain as popular in the United States as ever. Jacob Weisberg, faithful scribe, here presents the best of the latest crop: ""There's only one person who hugs the mothers and the widows, the wives and the kids upon the death of their loved one. Others hug but having committed the troops, I've got an additional responsibility to hug and that's me and I know what it's like."" ""I'm the master of low expectations."" ""First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill."" "
Customer Reviews:
Straight From the Horse's Mouse.......2007-06-28
After reading this short book of Bushisms, it's hard to believe that the President of the United States could have so many neurons and synapses misfiring in his noggin. After all, this is the man who has his finger on the button, that's if he can remember the code, or recite it correctly.
This is the man who followed his mother's suggestion to always use a thesaurus so he would never use the same word twice. It's unfortunate he could not recognize a homonym and instead wrote, "The lacerates came streaming down her face." (It makes you wonder how Mr. Shortcircuit could have ever gotten into Yale without having had his grandfather on its board of trustees.)
I have given this only three stars because the calendar of Bushisms offers far more verbal stumblings and gaffes than this provides--365 to be exact. At only eighty-three pages, it is funny but does not contain the best of Bush, the bonehead. Even though I paid very little, I don't think it was worth the S & H.
This book is neither for republicans, nor Bush suppporters, nor English teachers. (Yes, I know.)
As our president said, "I think if you know what you believe, it makes it a lot easier to answer querstions. I can't answer your question."
You just can't make this stuff up!
And this is straight from the horse's mouse.
Great Gift.......2007-02-13
My grandfather is definately not George Bush's biggest fan. For his birthday a little humor that tickled his funnybone!
Funny but oh so sad.......................2004-11-01
I can't help but laugh out loud at the humorous misspeak of our leader, but then again...oh my God...he IS our leader! Why do we ignore his past alcohol abuse, driving while intoxicated record (documented in Maine) and likely cocaine use cover up? Yet I fear that his lingual brain center wasn't the only part affected!
Seldom is the Question Asked, Is Something Wrong with Him?.......2004-09-12
I used to laugh at Bush's verbal gaffes too, but seldom is the question asked, is there something wrong with the man? Has he fallen off the wagon? Is his brain fried? Mine would be if I kept up the party-boy lifestyle I had as a college undergrad until I was 40. Think about it, wouldn't your brain be toast too after decades of alcohol and possibly cannibus and poppi abuse? Consider, in the August 2004 timeframe alone, Bush: > stammered some hysterically incomprehensible gibberish about tribal sovereignty to a group of native american journalists. Though it doesn't make for a good Bushism "sound byte" his incomprehensible, rambling, ad hoc answer was funny (there's a Quicktime video of this on the web...) Until you realize how remarkabley unprepared he was. His reply to a straightforward soft ball question also was offensive to native americans, who can actually be heard gasping in the background when his answer implied that native americans were "given" their sovereignty by the US government. > Actually, really, said, "Our enemies will never stop seeking ways to harm our country and its people, AND NEITHER WILL WE!" durning a press conference where he signed a $400 billion plus dollar military appropriation. Doh! > Last but not least, made a mega-freudian-faux pax on the campaing trail in front of thousands when he said something to the effect that... "we must not stop OB/GYN doctors from spreading their love of woman across the country." HA-HA-Huh?! Bear in mind, these >all occured around a one month period<! Also consider that these gaffes come from professionally prepared, written speeches in most cases! All's he has to do is read off a frigg'n sheet of paper! Now, even if Bush was articulate there's a thousand reasons why I wouldn't vote for him. In fact, this will be the first presidential election I absolutely plan to vote in, I embarrassingly admit, ever! This administration has been an unmitigated disaster for this country. However, making its way up the "reasons against" column in terms of relative importance is the concern about the man's mental stability, and past substance abuse issues, as evident in these all too frequent "Bushisms". Is the guy mentally fit to be the leader of the free world? It's not like the list of Bushisms is half-a-dozen. There's enough material here, literally, for a book! These so-called "Bushisms" are symptomatic of far greater problems, at least to me, at this point. In fact, they explain a lot.
Just Goes to show ya!.......2004-09-10
Just goes to show ya...anyone that's a good citizen, and has the money behind him, even if its family money, can become Prez of the United States, don't matter how stupid he be...
Books:
- Pretty Woman: A Novel
- Purple Place for Dying
- Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
- Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders
- Segu
- Some People, Some Other Place
- Speed on Skates: A Complete Technique, Training and Racing Guide for In-Line and Ice Skaters
- Stories and Early Novels: Pulp Stories / The Big Sleep / Farewell, My Lovely / The High Window (Library of America)
- Strangers on a Train
- Tatiana and Alexander
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