Introduction to the philosophy of language*

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Bruno Leclercq

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Critical examination of some central notions of language studies, especially the notion of "meaning".

First couples of notions such as "sense" and "reference", "intension" and "extension", "conotation" and "denotation" will provide an insight of several aspects of the meaning of linguistic phrases.

Then, will be considered several hypotheses on what meaning is : a set of actual objects, an ideal entity, a mental content or some social use.

This will lead to the question of the relations between semantics and pragmatics.

Finally, formal analyses will try to give a rigorous account of the meaning "if... then...".

 

 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Understanding of some theoretical notions and models which lie at the ground of - or provide a critical standpoint towards - many linguistic theories.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Secondary education.
Some basic knowledge in linguitics is welcome.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

The seminar will take place in Room Philo I (A1/2PHilI) on Fridays from 11am to 1pm during the first semester (September-December).
 First session on Friday September 18, 2026 at 11am.

 

 

 

 

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Texts and lecture notes wille be provided.

Recommanded reading for chapter II:
Alain Gallerand, La philosophie du langage et de la logique, Paris, Ellipses, 2013.

 

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Continuous assessment


Further information:

Any session :

Oral exam

No student will be allowed to take the exam on another day than the other students. 

 

 

Use of AI (ChatGPT and any other tool for analyzing data, summarizing texts or writing essays) :

See https://www.student.uliege.be/cms/c_19230399/en/uliege-charter-for-the-use-of-generative-artificial-intelligence-in-academic-work

AI shouldn't replace human intelligence, just support it. Those who want to make smart use of AI in their civic and professional lives first need to develop a set of cognitive skills that will let them use AI wisely, check its answers, and spot its limits. Plus, building these skills oneself reduces one's reliance on these technologies.

That's why, for this course, gains in cognitive skills like reading, understanding, analyzing, synthesizing, and expressing will be tested without any AI help. Using AI during the assessment is not allowed and will be considered cheating.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The first session will be held on Friday the 18th of September 2026 at 11 am.

 

 

 

Contacts

Bruno LECLERCQ
Université de Liège
Département de philosophie
Place du XX août, 7
4000 LIEGE
B.Leclercq@uliege.be

 

Association of one or more MOOCs

Items online