Locke's Philosophy of Language

by Walter R. Ott

Overview

Walter Ott proposes a new interpretation of John Locke's thesis—that words signify ideas in the mind of the speaker. Ott argues that Locke relies on an ancient tradition that defines signification as reliable indication. He then uses this interpretation to analyze crucial areas of Locke's metaphysics and epistemology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521831192
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/06/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	6.38(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.67(d)

About the Author

Walter R. Ott is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at East Tennessee State University. He has published in a number of journals including Ancient Philosophy, Dialogue, Locke Studies/Locke Newsletter, and the Journal of Philosophical Research.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements; Note on textual references; Introduction; 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?; 6. The reception of Locke's philosophy of language; 7. Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"This is a first-rate contribution to Locke studies and to what might be called the 'prehistory' of the philosophy of language. Ott sets Locke's theory of signification within its historical context, providing brief but trenchant sketches of the theory's antecedents in Hobbes, Port-Royal, and ultimately Stoic and Aristotelian sources...Without being anachronistic, Ott brings out very well the continuing relevance of Locke's pioneering forays into the philosophy of language, and provides new and provocative readings of a number of central Lockean doctrines." Edwin McCann, University of Southern California

From the Publisher