Description
Book SynopsisDraws on philosophy, biology, and the study of the mind to consider the nature of human cognitive capacities, particularly as they are expressed in language. This book considers the biological basis of language capabilities and the possibility of studying mental structures and capacities in the manner of the natural sciences.
Trade ReviewFrom time to time ever since Plato, grammar has been more than the bane of school children or a topic for scholars. It owes its present prominence outside of linguistics to some theses stated... by Noam Chomsky. -- Ian Hacking New York Review of Books Judged in terms of the power, range, novelty and influence of his thought, Noam Chomsky is arguably the most important intellectual alive today... reading Chomsky on linguistics one repeatedly has the impression of attending to one of the more powerful thinkers that ever lived. -- Paul Robinson New York Times Book Review
Table of ContentsForeword by Norbert Hornstein Preface Part I 1. Mind and Body 2. Structures, Capacities, and Conventions 3. Knowledge of Grammar 4. Some Elements of Grammar Part II 5. On the Biological Basis of Language Capacities 6. Language and Unconscious Knowledge Notes Index
