The subject of the philosophy of language

Abstract

The central topic of the philosophy of language is the issue of meaning. Therefore, many philosophers concentrate on the problems of an adequate, philosophically well-based and interesting theory of meaning. We resume here some well-known programs for a theory of meaning placing the emphasis on their common core. We list and briefly discuss three stages of the relevant theory- -construction: analysis of communicative activities (speech acts and the like), the singling out of assertion as the central and paradigm act-type, and finally laying down the groundwork of a theory of reference. Further we list some far- -reaching objections sometimes raised in connection with the program. The last part is devoted to one of these objections and to the issue it raises: is the idea of general semiotics compatible with a theory of meaning based on reference and/or truth?