Aristotle's Theory of Language and Meaning

This is a book about Aristotle's philosophy of language.

Deborah K. W. Modrak (Author)

9780521772662, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 30 October 2000

316 pages, 2 tables
23.7 x 16.4 x 2.4 cm, 0.55 kg

"Modrak's discussion is excellent and absolutely necessary for anyone who would wish to join the discussion of Aristotle's theory of language in the light of recent philosophical issues."

This is a book about Aristotle's philosophy of language, interpreted in a framework that provides a comprehensive interpretation of Aristotle's metaphysics, philosophy of mind, epistemology and science. The aim of the book is to explicate the description of meaning contained in De Interpretatione and to show the relevance of that theory of meaning to much of the rest of Aristotle's philosophy. In the process Deborah Modrak reveals how that theory of meaning has been much maligned. This is a major reassessment of an underestimated aspect of Aristotle that will be of particular interest to classical philosophers, classicists and historians of psychology and cognitive science.

Part I. Language and knowledge: 1. Meaning
2. Truth and necessary truth
3. Language of science
4. Three types of science
Part II. Definition and Essence
5. Definition and ontology
6. Logos as Substance
Part III. Cognition and Meaning
7. Phantasia and representation
8. Abstract thought and meaning
9. Conclusions
Indexes.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA]