Chomsky: Ideas and Ideals [Paperback]

Neil Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0521546885 | ISBN-13: 978-0521546881 | Edition: 2

Neil Smith's analysis of Noam Chomsky's key contributions to the study of language and mind details Chomsky's linguistic theorizing as well as the psychological and philosophical implications of his research. This second edition, thoroughly revised and updated, to account for Chomsky's most recent work, includes his continued contributions to linguistics, latest opinions on evolution, and extensive study of the events of September 11, 2001. First Edition Hb (1999): 0-521-47517-1 First Edition Pb (1999): 0-521-47570-8

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Neil Smith's book is a sympathetically personal and academically astute introduction to important themes in Chomsky's linguistic and political work. I recommend this book to students, and specialists will find it useful too." James McGilvray, McGill University

"...informative and thought-provoking ... the book's major strength is its big-picture perspective--an intriguing combination of problems of linguistic knowledge, philosophy, and politics." The Linguist

Book Description

Noam Chomsky is one of the leading intellectual figures of modern times. In this rigorous yet accessible account, Neil Smith analyses Chomsky's key contributions to the study of language and the study of mind, giving a detailed exposition of Chomsky's linguistic theorizing, and discussing the psychological and philosophical implications of his work. This second edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to account for Chomsky's most recent work, including his continued contributions to linguistics, his further discussion on evolution, and his extensive work on the events of September 11th, 2001.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (September 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521546885
• ISBN-13: 978-0521546881
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,968,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars To Understand Chomsky More, March 28, 2000

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Gu Gang - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chomsky: Ideas and Ideals (Paperback)

It is always difficult to summarize Chomsky's ideas and ideals. Neil Smith has made a great attempt to finish this challenging task. The five chapers of the book have covered all the important issues relating to Chomsky's theory. The first chapter explains why linguistics should belong to natural science. The second chapter is a good introduction to Chomsky's linguistic framework. The third chapter shows that Chomsky's hypothesis has a strong base of psychological reality. The fourth chapter discusses the difference between Chomksy's linguistic philosophy and those of other distinguished philosophers,such as Wittgenstein, Qyine, Putnan, and so on. The last chapter shows that Chomsky is full of sense of responsibility of the society. His appeal and decent activity to the equality of human beings. This is a helpful book for us to understand Chomsky more and eliminate the misunderstanding of him.