Chomsky: Language, Mind, and Politics: 9 (Key Contemporary Thinkers) - Softcover

Mcgilvray, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 074561888X ISBN 13: 9780745618883

Publisher: Polity, 1999

Synopsis

The key to Chomsky's overall intellectual project lies in what he has to say about a biologically based human nature.

About this title

Review

′This is the best all around introduction to Chomsky′s work that I know of. However, it is far more than an introduction. It is an ambitious synthesis of all parts of Chomsky′s views written in a manner accessible to a beginner yet thought provoking for those deeply immersed in Chomskyana. It considers Chomsky′s work in the wider context of cultural and classical philosophical views on human nature, knowledge and mind. In addition, McGilvray shuns no part of Chomsky′s vast work. He provides accessible and illuminating discussions of both his theoretical work in grammar, his philosophical views on the structure of mind and his political views. I recommend McGilvray′s work both to neophytes interested in an introduction to Chomsky′s thought and to experts interested in an illuminating discussion of "how it all hangs together".′ Professor Norbert Hornstein, University of Maryland

′This well written and insightful book explains accurately Chomsky′s ideas about mind, language, and social ideas. Its presentation of key concepts is accessible to laypersons and is informative to the experts as well. Chomsky′s key contributions to philosophy and the social sciences are well articulated. The book should be read by the general public, and all philosophers and social scientists.′ Professor Julius Moravcsik, Department of Philosophy, University of Stanford

From the Back Cover

Noam Chomsky is well known as a linguist and as a political thinker. He is less well known as a philosopher. Yet his rationalist philosophy ties common–sense understandings of human action and decision (including political thought and action) to that human mental capacity we call language.

The key to Chomsky s overall intellectual project lies in what he has to say about a biologically based human nature. McGilvray explains Chomsky s view of human nature in the first three chapters. He begins by distinguishing common–sense understanding from scientific knowledge. He then outlines the scientific picture of the mind that Chomsky favours. Finally, by appealing to basic observations concerning how language is acquired and used, McGilvray shows why Chomsky adopts the view he does. The last five chapters outline Chomsky s linguistic and political views and, by appeal to his biological–rationalist conception of human nature, explore the connections between them.

Chomsky s revitalized rationalism has profound implications for both the science of the human mind ( cognitive science ) and for an understanding of human action. No responsible individual can afford to ignore it.

Edition details

• Publisher: Polity
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 074561888X
• ISBN 13: 9780745618883
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288