Philosophers on Language
This philosopher said, "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world."
What is Wittgenstein
"The study of meaning in language."
What is semantics ?
"Using words to manipulate people treats them merely as a means, according to this philosopher."
Who is Immanuel Kant?
"A fallacy where someone attacks the person instead of the argument."
What is ad hominem?
"This term describes how language can control or influence society."
What is social control?
This philosopher argued that language games shape meaning in everyday life.
What is Ludwig Wittgenstein
"The difference between literal and implied meaning, or context-dependent meaning."
What is pragmatics ?
"This type of speech act aims to persuade or influence rather than just inform."
What is a persuasive or performative speech act ?
"An argument that assumes what it is trying to prove, essentially going in a circle."
What is circular reasoning?
"This social theorist discussed how language reinforces power structures."
Who is Michel Foucault?
He said, "There is nothing outside the text," emphasizing interpretation over absolute meaning
What is Jacques Derrida?
"The term for the action performed by speaking or writing, like promising, ordering, or apologizing."
What is a speech act ?
"Using euphemisms or misleading language to hide unethical actions is an example of this ethical concern."
What is ethical maniplulation ?
"A fallacy where only two options are presented as if they are the only possibilities."
What is a false dichotomy/either-or fallacy?
"He explored how ideology shapes language and social reality."
What is ideology?
This philosopher believed that some concepts are ineffable, beyond what can be expressed in words.
What is Ludwig Wittgenstein?
"The study of how language influences thought and perception: also called the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis."
What is linguistic relativity ?
"Deliberately lying to achieve a goal is considered a violation of this principle."
What is honesty / truthfulness?
"This error occurs when someone assumes correlation implies causation."
What is a post hoc/correlation-causation fallacy?
What is power?
He distinguishes between "signifier" and "signified" in his theory of structural linguistics.
What is Ferdinand de Saussure?
"The study of signs and symbols in language, including the relationship between signifiers and the signified."
What is semiotics ?
"This Kantian concept emphasizes treating people as ends in themselves in all communications."
What is the categorical imperative?
"A fallacy that misrepresents or attacks a group's argument instead of addressing the actual argument."
What is a straw man/group attack fallacy?
"This concept refers to the performative power of words, creating reality rather than just describing it."
What is performativity?