The History of Analytic Philosophy: 1950-1970

This course covers the development of analytic philosophy in the 1950s and 60s. We begin with a close study of Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations and conclude with Kripke's Naming and Necessity. In between, we'll study the emergence of functionalist philosophy of mind, speech act theory and pragmatics, action theory and practical reason, the indeterminacy of translation, the reference of names and theoretical terms, and the relationship between common sense and science. A primary aim of this course is to familiarize students with many of the core texts and debates presupposed as shared background by more contemporary discussions of mind, language, and rationality. Pre-requisite: at least one philosophy class.