Linguistic Intuitions: Evidence and Method

This book examines the evidential status and use of linguistic intuitions, a topic that has seen increased interest in recent years. Linguists use native speakers' intuitions - such as whether or not an utterance sounds acceptable - as evidence for theories about language, but this approach is not uncontroversial. The two parts of this volume draw on the most recent work in both philosophy and linguistics to explore the two major issues at the heart of the debate. Chapters in the first part address the 'justification question', critically analysing and evaluating the theoretical rationale for the evidential use of linguistic intuitions. The second part discusses recent developments in the domain of experimental syntax, focusing on the question of whether gathering intuitions experimentally is epistemically and methodologically superior to the informal methods that have traditionally been used.

The volume provides valuable insights into whether and how linguistic intuitions can be used in theorizing about language, and will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in linguistics, philosophy, and cognitive science.

Samuel Schindler, Associate Professor, Aarhus University,Anna Drożdżowicz, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Oslo,Karen Brøcker, Affiliated Researcher, Aarhus University

Samuel Schindler is Associate Professor of Philosophy of Science at the Centre for Science Studies at Aarhus University in Denmark. His research focuses on methodological and epistemological issuesÂin the history and philosophy of science. His publications include Theoretical Virtues in Science: Uncovering Reality Through Theory (CUP, 2018). He was the PI of the project 'Intuitions in Science and Philosophy' (2016-2019), which investigated how intuitions can serve as evidence.


Anna Drożdżowicz is postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oslo. She received her PhD from the University of Oslo in 2015. From 2016 to 2018 she was a postdoctoral researcher on the project 'Intuitions in Science and Philosophy' at the Centre for Science Studies, Aarhus University. She works primarily on the philosophy of mind and language, but has also published papers in philosophical methodology, psycholinguistics, and the philosophy of psychiatry.


Karen Brøcker holds a PhD in Science Studies and an MA and BA in Linguistics from Aarhus University. Her research focuses on theoretical linguistics and philosophy of linguistics, in particular the theoretical assumptions underlying the use of linguistic intuitions as evidence for theories of grammar. Her PhD was part of the project 'Intuitions in Science and Philosophy' at the Centre for Science Studies, Aarhus University.