Chomsky and His Critics

In this compelling volume, ten distinguished thinkers William G. Lycan, Jeffrey Poland, Galen Strawson, Frances Egan,Georges Rey, Peter Ludlow, Paul Horwich, Paul M. Pietroski, AlisonGopnik, and Ruth Garrett Millikan address a variety ofconceptual issues raised in Noam Chomsky′s work on mind andlanguage. Topics covered include: the ontological commitments inherent in a Chomskian approach tolinguistic competence the possibility of systematic referential semantics for naturallanguage whether we can learn anything about the foundations of languageby adopting an evolutionary perspective whether the theory theory in developmentalpsychology counters Chomsky′s arguments for nativism the relevance and urgency of the mind body problem in thepost–Newtonian world. These analyses are followed by substantial responses from Chomskyhimself. The result is a provocative and engaging discussion ofChomsky s work on questions of central importance to theoriesof mind and language.

Notes on Contributors.

Acknowledgements.

Introduction: Norbert Hornstein (University of Maryland, CollegePark) and Louise M. Antony (The Ohio State University).

1. Chomsky on the Mind–Body Problem: William G. Lycan(University of North Carolina).

2. Chomsky′s Challenge to Physicalism: Jeffrey Poland(University of Nebraska–Lincoln).

3. Real Materialism: Galen Strawson (University of Reading).

4. Naturalistic Inquiry: Where does Mental Representation FitIn?: Frances Egan (Rutgers University).

5. Chomsky, Intentinality and a CRTT: Georges Rey (University ofMaryland, College Park).

6. Referential Semantics for I–languages?: Peter Ludlow (StateUniversity of New York, Stony Brook).

7. Meaning and Its Place in the Language Faculty: Paul Horwich(Graduate Center of the City University of New York).

8. Small Verbs, Complex Events: Analyticity without Synonymy:Paul M. Pietroski (University of Maryland, College Park).

9. In Defense of Public Language: Ruth Garrett Millikan(University of Connecticut).

10. The Theory Theory as an Alternative to the InnatenessHypothesis: Alison Gopnik (Universtiy of California atBerkeley).

11. Replies: Noam Chomsky (Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology).

12. Major Works By and About Noam Chomsky (MassachusettsInstitute of Technology).

Index.

Louise M. Antony is Professor of Philosophy and Women′sStudies at The Ohio State University. She is editor, with CharlotteWitt, of A Mind of One′s Own: Feminist Essays on Reason andObjectivity, 2nd edn. (2002).

Norbert Hornstein is Professor of Linguistics at theUniversity of Maryland, College Park. He is the author of Move!A Minimalist Theory of Construal (Blackwell, 2000), LogicalForm: From GB to Minimalism (Blackwell, 1995),and As TimeGoes By: Tense and Universal Grammar (1994).

"When intellectual histories of the twentieth century are written,Noam Chomsky will surely be acknowledged as one of its majorfigures. Given his enormous influence, it is imperative thatChomsky′s ideas be scrutinized, and I can′t think of a better arenathan this book, in which Chomsky and his critics are given theelbow room to work out their disagreements with the subtlety anddepth that they deserve." Steven Pinker, MIT, and author of TheLanguage Instinct <!––end––>

"More than forty years ago, Noam Chomsky began a revolution inthe way that philosophers think about the mind and about language.The essays in this fine volume make it clear that the Chomskianrevolution is still very much underway and that we are far fromagreement on the implications of Chomsky s work. Thesecutting–edge essays and Chomsky s characteristicallyinsightful replies are full of fresh insights and acutearguments. They are essential reading for anyone interested in theextraordinary impact Chomsky has had on philosophy." StephenStich, Rutgers University

"This is a first–rate volume for advanced students and scholarsin philosophy, linguistics, and cognitive science that will advanceunderstanding of Chomsky′s work for years to come."Choice

"This is a first–rate volume for advanced students and scholarsin philosophy, linguistics, and cognitive science that will advanceunderstanding of Chomsky′s work for years to come." Choice,December 2003