Abstract

The author identifies selected implicit or not fully explicit assumptions made by Noam Chomsky in his theory of language. Through a careful examination of Chomsky's work, she aims to present the solutions this linguist proposes with respect to two fundamental questions: the question of methodology and the question of the ontological status of language. After reviewing the central theses of Chomsky's theory in the first part of the paper, she turns to the question that is mentioned in the title of this paper, that is, the reservations regarding the assumptions underlying Chomsky's work.

Highlights

  • Order derives from the enormous interest generated by these works and their attendant problems

  • A critical examination of his approach is a result of the desire to understand his conception, which is fundamental for the further study of natural language

  • The task that I have set myself in this paper is as follows: I would like to identify selected implicit or not fully explicit assumptions that are made by Chomsky, as well as to isolate his basic notions about language and look into the consequences of their use in different contexts

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Summary

Introductory Remarks

The methodological assumptions as well as the preliminary answers that were introduced by Noam Chomsky as he was laying the foundations for 20c linguistics have long been considered a classic of reflection on the basic problems in the philosophy of language. The task that I have set myself in this paper is as follows: I would like to identify selected implicit or not fully explicit assumptions that are made by Chomsky, as well as to isolate his basic notions about language and look into the consequences of their use in different contexts This pertains to the philosophical assumptions, which I take to include theses related to terms that are deeply entrenched in the philosophical tradition, and theses that concern well-known philosophical problems. One could ask whether considering the problems dealt with in this paper is substantiated, given that over the years, Chomsky has modified his theory, reformulated some of its premises, and introduced new theses As a result, it seems that the doubts presented here do not apply to the same degree to Chomsky’s views from different periods of his intellectual activity. It is those core beliefs that are addressed in the present text

Chomsky’s Methodology
Doubts Regarding Selected Assumptions on Language Made in Chomsky’s Theory
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VIII. Concluding Remarks
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