Philosophy of Language: The Classics Explained by Colin McGinn

Colin McGinn’s Philosophy of Language: The Classics Explained is a structured introduction to key debates in the philosophy of language, focusing on ten classic texts from major thinkers such as Frege, Russell, Kripke, Putnam, and others. It is designed to be an accessible guide for students who may find the primary texts daunting due to their complexity and dense technical arguments.

McGinn’s approach is systematic: each chapter is dedicated to a single philosopher and their key contribution to the field. He offers clear explanations of major arguments while maintaining philosophical rigor, making it an excellent companion for those studying the philosophy of language for the first time.

Key Themes and Topics Covered

  1. Sense and Reference (Frege)
    • McGinn begins with Frege’s seminal distinction between Sinn (sense) and Bedeutung (reference).
    • He explains how Frege’s theory addresses puzzles of identity statements (e.g., “Hesperus is Phosphorus”) and indirect speech.
    • The discussion is clear and breaks down Frege’s logic-based approach to meaning without oversimplifying.
  2. Proper Names and Descriptions (Russell, Kripke, Donnellan, Kaplan, Evans)
    • Russell’s Theory of Descriptions is explored, showing how definite descriptions (e.g., “The present king of France”) function logically, resolving problems of nonexistence and referential opacity.
    • Kripke’s Causal Theory of Reference challenges descriptivism, arguing that names refer rigidly through historical chains rather than descriptions. McGinn does a solid job explaining Kripke’s a priori vs. a posteriori necessity.
    • Donnellan’s Distinction between referential and attributive uses of descriptions is clarified with well-chosen examples.
    • Kaplan and Evans introduce indexicals and demonstratives, emphasizing the role of context in meaning.
  3. The Nature of Truth and Meaning (Tarski, Davidson, Putnam, Grice)
    • Tarski’s Semantic Theory of Truth is explained in a structured manner, showing how it avoids semantic paradoxes and serves as a foundation for formal truth definitions.
    • Davidson’s Truth-Conditional Semantics is unpacked, highlighting its role in linguistic meaning.
    • Putnam’s Twin Earth Argument is given due attention, challenging internalist theories of meaning by demonstrating how meaning is partly determined by external factors.
    • Grice’s Theory of Implicature provides a pragmatic angle, distinguishing between what is said and what is meant, with examples illustrating conversational maxims.

Strengths of the Book

✔ Clarity and Accessibility: McGinn’s writing is engaging, avoiding unnecessary jargon while maintaining philosophical depth.
✔ Logical Structure: The book follows a well-organized progression from foundational issues to more advanced topics.
✔ Balanced Interpretation: Each philosopher’s view is presented fairly, with critical assessments that encourage further discussion.
✔ Pedagogical Approach: The book serves as an excellent guide for students unfamiliar with technical aspects of analytic philosophy.

 

Criticisms and Limitations

❌ Limited Depth for Advanced Readers: While excellent for beginners, those already familiar with these debates may find McGinn’s interpretations somewhat introductory.
❌ Absence of Contemporary Debates: The book mainly covers 20th-century analytic philosophy and does not engage much with contemporary discussions in linguistics or cognitive science.

 

Final Verdict: A Highly Recommended Introduction

Philosophy of Language: The Classics Explained is an outstanding resource for students and those new to the field. McGinn successfully demystifies some of the most difficult texts in philosophy of language without oversimplifying them. While it may not be deep enough for specialists, it is an invaluable guide for those seeking a structured introduction.