Unit I (philosophy and some cognitive science)
This unit will concentrate on readings from philosophy and cognitive science. It is based on Margolis & Laurence [google book here], but some newer materials are included. Though it’s not mentioned in the following, before trying the main text for each class, it is a (very) good idea to read the corresponding part from the introductory chapter in M&L. The reader you will find in the library in mid-February will follow this structure.
1. Intro.
Why study concepts? What concepts might be. Language and concepts. A naturalistic framework for studying concepts. Frege’s Sinne.
2. Concepts as definitions
Reading: M&L, chpt 1, pp 3-27;
suggested: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy 1- 2.1., E Rosch ‘Reclaiming Concepts’ I.
3. Wittgenstein
Reading: Philosophical Investigations 65-78 [M&L chpt #6];
suggested: as much as you can cover in the PI.
4. Concepts as prototypes
Reading: E. Rosch ‘Principles of categorization’ [M&L chpt #8];
suggested: H. Putnam ‘Is semantics possible?’ [M&L chpt #7], E. Rosch ‘Reclaiming Concepts’ II, R. Bogdan ‘What do we need concepts for?’, G. Lakoff ‘Cognitive Models and Prototype Theory’ [M&L chpt#18].
5. Concepts as ostensions
Reading: R.G. Millikan ‘A Common Structure for Concepts of Individuals, Stuffs, and Real Kinds…’ [M&L chpt#23]; suggested: R.G. Millikan On Clear and Confused Ideas 3-6
6. Concepts as atoms
Reading: J.A. Fodor – selection from Concepts; suggested: more from Concepts – TBA, K. Bach – Review of Fodor’s Concepts
7. Midterm exam
Unit II (linguistics and a little of cognitive science)
This unit attempts to (briefly) explore the relation between conceptual knowledge and linguistic theory, in general and semantic description, in particular.
1. Lexicalized concepts and word meaning
Reading: J. Saeed, Semantics (pp. 32-45)
Optional: G. Lakoff, “Radial Categories” in Women, Fire, and Dangerous Things (pp. 91-114)
2. Lexical relations
Reading: J. Saeed, Semantics (pp. 63-73)
Optional: Lyons, TBA
3. Acquiring a concept/ a word
Reading: E. Margolis How to acquire a concept [M&L, ch.24]
Optional: R.S. Horsey, The Content and Acquisition of Lexical Concepts (pp. 196 – 229)
P. Bloom, Précis of How Children Learn the Meanings of Words in Behavioral and Brain Sciences (2001) 24, 1095–1103
4. Elaboration of Prototype Theory in linguistics
Reading: G. Lakoff, “Prototype Effects in Language and Idealized Cognitive Models” in Women, Fire, and Dangerous Things (pp. 58-76)
Optional: V. Evans and M Green (eds.), Cognitive Linguistics. An Introduction, ch. 8
A. Wierzbicka, Semantics. Primes and Universals, ch. 4
5. Conceptual structure and semantic description
Reading: J. Katz, On the General Character of Semantic Theory [M&L, ch. 4]
J. Saeed, Semantics (pp. 232-241)
6. Conceptual semantics
Reading: R. Jackendoff, Foundations of Language, ch. 9
7. Final exam (unit II)
concepts 