Logic - Language - Ontology: Selected Works

This collection of papers aims to unify the questions of syntax and semantics of language, which span across the fields of logic, philosophy, and ontology of language. It follows the logical conception of language proposed by Ajdukiewicz and proposes a general formal logical theory of syntax, semantics, and pragmatics that takes into account the duality of token-type in the understanding of linguistic expressions. The book is addressed to readers at the graduate and undergraduate level and to a more general audience interested in the interplay between reality and the language we use to describe and understand it.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 02 December 2022
Publisher: Birkhauser Verlag AG

Language is a complex and fascinating phenomenon that plays a crucial role in our daily lives. It is a means of communication that allows us to express our thoughts, feelings, and ideas to others. At the same time, language is also a tool for thinking and reasoning, enabling us to analyze and understand the world around us.

The meaning of words is one of the central questions in the study of language. How do we determine the meaning of a word? What are the factors that influence the interpretation of a word? These questions have been studied by philosophers, linguists, and cognitive scientists for centuries, and there is still no definitive answer.

One approach to understanding the meaning of words is through the study of syntax and semantics. Syntax refers to the structure of words and phrases, while semantics refers to their meaning. These two aspects of language are closely interconnected, and they are often studied together.

One of the key questions in the study of syntax and semantics is the distinction between linguistic tokens and linguistic types. Linguistic tokens are the material objects that we use to communicate, such as words and phrases. Linguistic types, on the other hand, are the ideal, abstract objects that represent the meanings of words and phrases.

For example, the word "dog" refers to a particular animal, while the word "dog" refers to the concept of a pet or companion. These two meanings are represented by different linguistic types. The word "dog" is a linguistic token, while the word "dog" is a linguistic type.

Another important question in the study of syntax and semantics is the relationship between linguistic expressions and their extra-linguistic counterparts. What is the relationship between the words we use and the objects or concepts they refer to? How do we understand the meaning of a word when we are not familiar with the object or concept it refers to?

These questions have been studied by philosophers such as Ludwig Wittgenstein and John Searle, who argued that the meaning of a word is determined by its use in a particular context. They argued that the meaning of a word is not inherent in the word itself, but is rather determined by the way

Logic can be a useful tool for addressing these questions. Logic is a branch of philosophy that deals with the study of reasoning

The book aims to unify the questions of syntax and semantics of language, which span across the fields of logic, philosophy, and ontology of language. The leading motif of the presented selection is the differentiation between linguistic tokens (material, concrete objects) on the one hand and linguistic types (ideal, abstract objects) on the other. Through a promenade among articles that span over all of the Author's career, this book addresses the complex philosophical question of the ontology of language by following the crystalline conceptual tools offered by logic.

At the core of Wybraniec-Skardowska's scholarship is the idea that language is an ontological being, characterized in compliance with the logical conception of language proposed by Ajdukiewicz. The application throughout the book of tools of classical logic and set theory results fosters the emergence of a general formal logical theory of syntax, semantics, and of the pragmatics of language, which takes into account the duality token-type in the understanding of linguistic expressions.

Via a functional approach to language itself, logic appears as ontologically neutral with respect to existential assumptions relating to the nature of linguistic expressions and their extra-linguistic counterparts.

The book is addressed to readers both at the graduate and undergraduate level, but also to a more general audience interested in getting a firmer grip on the interplay.

In conclusion, language is a complex and fascinating phenomenon that plays a crucial role in our daily lives. It is a means of communication that allows us to express our thoughts, feelings, and ideas to others. At the same time, language is also a tool for thinking and reasoning, enabling us to analyze and understand the world around us. The study of syntax and semantics is an important area of research that aims to understand the meaning of words and phrases. By studying the relationship between linguistic tokens and linguistic types, we can better understand the relationship between language and the world around us. Logic can be a useful tool for addressing these questions, as it provides a systematic approach to reasoning and reasoning. The book aims to unify the questions of syntax and semantics of language, which span across the fields of logic, philosophy, and ontology of language. By following the crystalline conceptual tools offered by logic, we can better understand the complex philosophical question of the ontology of language and get a firmer grip on the interplay between reality and the language we use to describe and understa.

Weight: 641g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031223297
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022