Filozofia Donalda Davidsona. Podstawy semantyki. Bibliotheca Philosophica 4 (2019)
Donald Davidson's Philosophy. The Basics of Semantics. Bibliotheca Philosophica 4 (2019)

Author(s): Janusz Maciaszek
Subject(s): Philosophy, History of Philosophy, Philosophical Traditions, Special Branches of Philosophy
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: interpretation theory;non-referential semantics;language teachability;semantic definition of truth;Alfred Tarski;theory of meaning
Summary/Abstract: The structure of the publication reflects the logic of the deliberations, starting with detailed issues (Alfred Tarski's semantic definition of truth in chapter 1) and moving on to those increasingly broad and practical (by linking the theory of meaning with the topic of language learning in chapter 2 and the concept of non-referential semantics in chapter 3), to ultimately arriving at Davidson's philosophy and its coherent concept of types of knowledge, in the acquisition of which the theory of interpretation (discussed in the final chapter of the book) plays a crucial role. Maciaszek shows the evolution of Davidson's views, especially in terms of the theory of meaning, which still poses many interpretative difficulties for commentators reviewing this theory. In his original approach, the author discusses the issue of ontological obligations of semantics (in terms of analytical philosophy) and points to its entanglement in metaphysical considerations. Besides, the more advanced reader can also find detailed critical analyses of the author engaging in polemics both with different approaches to the concept of Davidson semantics today as well as with various interpretations of Tarski’s theory of truth, which underlies this semantics. From the review by prof. Urszula Żegleń

• Details
• Contents