Meaning Of Meaning: The Philosophy of Language and Civilization's Most Important Instrument Since 1923 - Softcover

Ogden, C. K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0156584468 ISBN 13: 9780156584463

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks, 1989

Synopsis

Language is the most important of all the instruments of civilization. This is the premise of a work whose significance to the study of language, literature, and philosophy has remained undiminished since its original publication in 1923. New Introduction by Umberto Eco; Indices.

About this title

About the Authors

Charles Kay Ogden (June 1, 1889 Fleetwood, Lancashire – March 21, 1957 London) was an English linguist, philosopher, and writer.


Ivor Armstrong Richards (26 February 1893 in Sandbach, Cheshire – 7 September 1979 in Cambridge) was an influential English literary critic and rhetorician. His books, especially The Meaning of Meaning, Principles of Literary Criticism, Practical Criticism, and The Philosophy of Rhetoric, proved to be founding influences for the New Criticism. The concept of 'practical criticism' led in time to the practices of close reading, what is often thought of as the beginning of modern literary criticism. Richards is regularly considered one of the founders of the contemporary study of literature in English.

From the Back Cover

"Language is the most important of all the instruments of civilization." The authors state this premise boldly in their preface to "The Meaning of Meaning," a classic work whose significance--and challenge--to the study of language, literature, and philosophy has remained undiminished since its original publication.

Much about language continues to be only hazily understood, distorted by our habitual attitude--often one of indifference--toward words, or by lingering assumptions based on discredited theories. What IS the relationship between words and what the words refer to? Between words and the way we think? Can understanding such matters lead to greater precision in communication? Readers considering these questions find themselves at the crossroads of linguistics and communications theory, of literary criticism and philosophy--an interdisciplinary nexus claimed by the increasingly influential field of semiotics--and "The Meaning of Meaning" will prove, as it has over the last six decades, an essential resource.

In his introduction Umberto Eco, emininent novelist and, not coincidentally, semiotician, provides a fascinating perspective on this pioneering work that continues to disturb intellectual complacency and provoke thought and discussion.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0156584468
• ISBN 13: 9780156584463
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 396