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LECTURE 12: NOAM CHOMSKY

Lecture 12: Noam Chomsky

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Lecture 12: Noam Chomsky. Today’s Lecture. In Today’s lecture we will: Recap our investigation into Epistemology Briefly outline the theories of Rationalism endorsed by Plato and Descartes Explore, outline and critically assess Noam Chomsky’s theory of Knowledge - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Lecture 12:  Noam Chomsky

LECTURE 12: NOAM CHOMSKY

Page 2: Lecture 12:  Noam Chomsky

TODAY’S LECTURE

In Today’s lecture we will:In Today’s lecture we will:

1.1.Recap our investigation into EpistemologyRecap our investigation into Epistemology

2.2.Briefly outline the theories of Rationalism endorsed by Plato and Briefly outline the theories of Rationalism endorsed by Plato and DescartesDescartes

3.3.Explore, outline and critically assess Noam Chomsky’s theory of Explore, outline and critically assess Noam Chomsky’s theory of KnowledgeKnowledge

4.4.Discuss the consequences of Chomsky’s theory of KnowledgeDiscuss the consequences of Chomsky’s theory of Knowledge

Page 3: Lecture 12:  Noam Chomsky

RECAP

Page 4: Lecture 12:  Noam Chomsky

EPISTEMOLOGY

What is Epistemology?What is Epistemology?

Theory of KnowledgeTheory of Knowledge

Epistemology is the investigation into Epistemology is the investigation into KnowledgeKnowledge

Key questions include:Key questions include:

oWhat is knowledge?What is knowledge?

oWhat is the difference between opinion and knowledge?What is the difference between opinion and knowledge?

oDoes knowledge require certainty?Does knowledge require certainty?

oWhat are the limits of knowledge?What are the limits of knowledge?

oIs knowledge in fact possible?Is knowledge in fact possible?

Page 5: Lecture 12:  Noam Chomsky

RECAP

Theories investigated so far:

Rationalism: Plato & Descartes

Both see knowledge derived from the senses as uncertain and Both see knowledge derived from the senses as uncertain and problematicproblematic

Both agree that True knowledge comes to us through ReasonBoth agree that True knowledge comes to us through Reason

Both posit the existence of innate ideasBoth posit the existence of innate ideas

These innate ideas are prior to experienceThese innate ideas are prior to experience

PlatoPlato

We possess innate ideas We possess innate ideas attained by our souls attained by our souls before we were bornbefore we were born

The Forms are the only The Forms are the only things that can Truly be things that can Truly be knownknown

DescartesDescartes

We possess innate ideas in We possess innate ideas in our mind (some placed our mind (some placed there by God)there by God)

Deduction can be used to Deduction can be used to extend this knowledgeextend this knowledge

Page 6: Lecture 12:  Noam Chomsky

NOAM CHOMSKY

Page 7: Lecture 12:  Noam Chomsky

NOAM CHOMSKY

Key Questions:Key Questions:

Is language something we learn?Is language something we learn?

Or Or

Is language something innate?Is language something innate?

And if so, to what degree?And if so, to what degree?

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NOAM CHOMSKY

A Traditional View of Language

My elders did not teach me words by rote, as they taught me my letters afterward. But I myself, when I was unable to communicate all I wished to say to whomever I wished by means of whimperings and grunts and various gestures of my limbs (which I used to reinforce my demands), I myself repeated the sounds already stored in my memory by the mind which you, my god, had given me. When they called some thing by name and pointed it out while they spoke, I saw it and realized that the thing they wished to indicate was called by the name they then uttered. And what they meant was made plain by the gestures of their bodies, by a kind of natural language, common to all nations, which expresses itself through changes of countenance, glances of the eye, gestures and intonations which indicate a disposition and attitude—either to seek or possess, to reject or to avoid. So it was that by frequently hearing words, in different phrases, I gradually identified the objects which the words stood for and, having formed my mouth to repeat these signs, I was thereby able to express my will. Thus I exchanged with those about me the verbal signs by which we express our wishes and advanced deeper into the stormy fellowship of human life, depending all the while upon the authority of my parents and the behest of my elders.

Augustine, Confessions: I, 8

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NOAM CHOMSKY

Generative GrammarGenerative Grammar

According to Chomsky, learning a language is only possible if there areAccording to Chomsky, learning a language is only possible if there are

““Principles intrinsic to the mind providing invariant structures Principles intrinsic to the mind providing invariant structures that are a precondition for linguistic experience”that are a precondition for linguistic experience”

Chomsky argues that there are universal principles inherent in Chomsky argues that there are universal principles inherent in allall languagelanguage

These “Principles and Parameters” are known as “language universals”These “Principles and Parameters” are known as “language universals”

Parameters = Universal Grammar: Basic linguistic options that precede Parameters = Universal Grammar: Basic linguistic options that precede the learning of a language (depends on the language what options are the learning of a language (depends on the language what options are on and off)on and off)Surface level of language; E.g. English, Symbols, Intonation, Slang etc.

Deep-level structure; E.g. Nouns, Verbs, Sentence Structure, Grammar (General Rules of Language)

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NOAM CHOMSKY

Chomksy’s Criticism of the traditional view of language:Chomksy’s Criticism of the traditional view of language:

Empirical theories are inadequateEmpirical theories are inadequate

Efforts to explain language using “principles of induction, Efforts to explain language using “principles of induction, generalization, and data analysis that would account for knowledge of generalization, and data analysis that would account for knowledge of a language”(p. 199) have all failed.a language”(p. 199) have all failed.

““They fail because they are intrinsically incapable of giving rise to the They fail because they are intrinsically incapable of giving rise to the system of rules that underlies the normal use of language.” (ibid.)system of rules that underlies the normal use of language.” (ibid.)

SocietyExperienceReinforcement

Language

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NOAM CHOMSKY

Chomsky’s AlternativeChomsky’s Alternative

If all human language shares a universal structure (Linguistic If all human language shares a universal structure (Linguistic Universals)Universals)

““Plausibly” we can assume that linguistic universals are an “Innate Plausibly” we can assume that linguistic universals are an “Innate mental endowment” (p. 200)mental endowment” (p. 200)

Furthermore, this may be true of other forms of human knowledgeFurthermore, this may be true of other forms of human knowledge

But how we have this is a complex mystery...But how we have this is a complex mystery...

Innate Mental EndowmentInnate Mental Endowment

SocietyExperienceReinforcement

Language

Page 12: Lecture 12:  Noam Chomsky

NOAM CHOMSKY

Johann Georg Hamann (1730-1788)Johann Georg Hamann (1730-1788)

Also criticizes the empirical model of languageAlso criticizes the empirical model of language

Walking, Eating, and Language are Walking, Eating, and Language are allall things things that we need instruction inthat we need instruction in

Does this mean that they are unnatural?Does this mean that they are unnatural?

Consequently the origin of language is as Consequently the origin of language is as natural and human as the origin of all our natural and human as the origin of all our activities, facilities and skills. But despite the activities, facilities and skills. But despite the fact that every apprentice co-operates with his fact that every apprentice co-operates with his instruction to learn according to his instruction to learn according to his inclinations, abilities, and opportunities; inclinations, abilities, and opportunities; learning is nevertheless in a real sense as learning is nevertheless in a real sense as little invention as mere re-cognition. little invention as mere re-cognition.

(Hamann, Philological Doubts and Ideas, 41:7-(Hamann, Philological Doubts and Ideas, 41:7-12)12)

To be continued...To be continued...