PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher:
EMANUELA CAMPISI
Expected Learning Outcomes
1) Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge of the main topics of the analytical
philosophy of language, with particular reference to and pragmatics and social
philosophy of language. Ability to define an argument and its main
characteristics, both in its explicit and implicit components, and to define
and discuss the main argumentative fallacies.
2) Applying knowledge and understanding
Ability to recognize an argumentative text, to
describe its structure and identify fallacies or invalidities. Ability to
discuss the main themes of the analytic philosophy of language not only from a
historical perspective but also from a thematic one, through the comparison of
the theses and positions of the main authors of the discipline. Ability to
correctly paraphrase argumentative texts, making the implicit explicit where
necessary.
3) Making judgments
Ability to autonomously reflect on the theses and
arguments of the discipline, developing the ability to interpret argumentative
texts containing implicit.
4) Communication skills
Starting from the comparison with philosophical
argumentative texts, the ability to present one's arguments with specialists
and non-specialists in the field, and to discuss those of others clearly
through a balanced and effective use of what is said and what is not said.
5) Learning skills
Skills
necessary to deepen the study of analytic philosophy in an autonomous and
critical way, such as the ability to paraphrase a complex text, compare
opposing theses, refute an argument.Course Structure
The course will take place in the second semester during days and hours
which will be published on the website in due course. Classes will have a mixed
format: lectures will be accompanied by regular guided discussions, shared
reading and teamwork activities. Exercises and practicing material in view of
the written tests will be uploaded on Studium.
Required Prerequisites
No prerequisites required
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance is not compulsory
Detailed Course Content
The course is divided into three modules.
Module A introduces and analyzes argumentation,
the main discourse genre of philosophical research, with the typical tools of
analytic philosophy. In particular, the tools to recognize and describe an
argumentative structure and to refute an argument are provided, in order to
develop the necessary skills to distinguish a good argument from a bad one and
to recognize argumentative fallacies (reference text: Boem, F. (2021). Forme dell’argomentare e del ragionare. Le
Monnier Università, Florence).
Module B focuses on the main themes of the analytic philosophy of
language and their developments in the contemporary debate, with particular
attention to the notion of meaning
and the questions that have been posed around it (reference text: Paganini, E
(edited by) (2022). Il primo libro di filosofia del linguaggio e della
mente. Einaudi, Turin,
chaps. 1-13).
Module
C introduces the basic concepts of contemporary social philosophy of language
which, building on classical pragmatics, explores how language creates,
reveals, and at the same time challenges discrimination and social injustices
(reference text: Bianchi C, Caponetto L. (2025). Filosofia sociale del linguaggio. Laterza Editore, Roma-Bari.)Textbook Information
Boem,
F. (2021). Forme dell’argomentare e del
ragionare. Le Monnier Università, Firenze (pp. 132).
Paganini,
E. (A cura di) (2022). Il primo libro di
filosofia del linguaggio e della mente. Einaudi, Torino (capp. 1-13,
pp. 3-145).
Bianchi C, Caponetto L.
(2025). Filosofia sociale del linguaggio. Laterza
Editore, Roma-Bari. (pp. 320).
Please remember that in compliance with art 171
L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or
journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.
For further information on sanctions and regulations
concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee
Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione
Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian
Association on Copyright).
All
the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
An optional written midterm test and a final oral exam are scheduled.
The written test, to be taken halfway through the course, will consist of
open-ended questions and exercises, and will cover the contents of Module A and
(partially) Module B.
If passed, the midterm test will be graded on a scale from 18 to 30 and
will count for half of the final grade. The result remains valid for one year.
For those who take the midterm, the final oral exam will cover the contents of
Module B (pragmatics) and Module C. Those who do not take the midterm will be
examined on the entire syllabus during the oral exam.
