Philosophy of Language

The course reflects the linguistic turn in 20th century philosophy and is built on a synthesis of:

• philosophy;
• linguistics;
• anthropology;
• argumentation theory;
• and the cognitive sciences.

To solve communication problems in scientific and social practice, you will learn to apply techniques from:

• analytic philosophy of language;
• hermeneutics;
• structuralism;
• semiotics;
• conceptual analysis;
• and deconstruction.

The course is based on fundamental works on the philosophy of language from different traditions. On the one hand, the works of such authors as Wittgenstein, Carnap, Schlick, Quine, Davidson, and Austin. On the other hand, the works of Heidegger, Foucault, Deleuze, Derrida, Baudrillard and Habermas.
We pay special attention to the ideas of Mikhail Bakhtin, Yuri Lotman, Alexander Potebnja, Gustav Shpet and Pavel Florensky, the representatives of the Russian philosophy of language.

The course is taught online. Weekly classes include watching lectures and completing test tasks with automated grading

Тhe B2 or higher level of the Englisn language proficiency is required for successful completion of the course.

Module 1. Language and Worldview
Module 2. Theory of the Sign: Antiquity and Modernity
Module 3. Hermeneutic Approaches to the Philosophy of Language
Module 4. Linguistic Philosophy
Module 5. Semiotic Theories of Language
Module 6. Language and Communication
Module 7. Anthropological Perspective in the Philosophy of Language
Module 8. In Search of the Perfect Language

Upon completing the course, you will have knowledge of:

•  The conceptual and categorical framework of the philosophy of language
• The main and most effective methods and techniques of logical analysis
• Historical and philosophical information on the emergence and development of the subject, methods, and issues of the philosophy of language from antiquity to the present

Upon completing the course, you will be able to:

• Conduct philosophical research and analyze the fundamental laws of the formation and development of being, society, and thought in their diverse and interconnected forms of existence and manifestation.
• Carry out theoretical analysis of philosophical problems of language based on knowledge of its nature, formation, and historical development, as well as the structure, issues, and functioning of key branches of philosophy (logic, ontology and epistemology, social philosophy, history of philosophy, ethics, aesthetics, philosophy and methodology of science, philosophy of religion, and philosophical anthropology).

Upon completing the course, you will have proficience in:

• Methods and procedures of scientific, philosophical, logical, and theoretical-methodological analysis in professional activities.
• Key methods, techniques, and tools for acquiring, storing, processing, and presenting information to solve professional and socially significant tasks.
• Methods for searching and analyzing scientific information, along with skills in its presentation, summarization, and annotation.
• Fundamental technologies for shaping a scientific and philosophical worldview and their application in addressing significant socio-cultural and political issues.