Amazon.com: Words and Things: An Examination of and an Attack on Linguistic Philosophy (9780710002853): Ernest Gellner: Books

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Words and Things: An Examination of and an Attack on Linguistic Philosophy
 
 
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Words and Things: An Examination of and an Attack on Linguistic Philosophy [Paperback]

Ernest Gellner (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)


Available from these sellers.


Textbook Student FREE Two-Day Shipping for students on millions of items. Learn more

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Hardcover --  
Paperback $22.95  
Paperback, June 1979 --  

Book Description

June 1979 0710002858 978-0710002853 2nd Revised edition

When Ernest Gellner was his early thirties, he took it upon himself to challenge the prevailing philosophical orthodoxy of the day, Linguistic Philosophy. Finding a powerful ally in Bertrand Russell, who provided the foreword for this book, Gellner embarked on the project that was to put him on the intellectual map.

The first determined attempt to state the premises and operational rules of the movement, Words and Things remains philosophy's most devastating attack on a conventional wisdom to this day.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.


Editorial Reviews

Review

'I find myself in very close agreement with Mr. Gellner's doctrines as set forth in this book.' - Bertrand Russell --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Ernest Gellner (1925 - 1995) A Central European émigré who made his home in England, Gellner was famed for constructing academic theories on linguistic philosophy and nationalism. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Routledge Kegan & Paul; 2nd Revised edition edition (June 1979)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0710002858
  • ISBN-13: 978-0710002853
  • Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,599,595 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

1 Review
5 star:    (0)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining attack, January 25, 2010
The Amazon product description of this book might be slightly misleading. Indeed Gellner criticizes "linguistic philosophy" in this book, but this designates a very specific philosophical school: the 1950's Oxford school of "language games" and "ordinary language" inspired by the late writings of Wittgenstein. So this is NOT an attack on the branch we call "philosophy of language" today, as I assumed when I bought it.

The school of "linguistic philosophy" that Gellner attacks is now more or less defunct in the form that he presents it, but that doesn't necessarily make this book outdated. Many forms of pseudo-philosophy (in the guise of postmodernism, for example) are still prevalent and much of what Gellner says can be readily applied to criticize any anti-rational doctrines.

And certainly the book is worth reading just for entertainment as well. Few modern philosophy writers can match Gellner's combination of intelligence and humour. The only negative is that the book is a bit too long since there's some needless repetition of earlier arguments towards the end.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence:
Linguistic Philosophy is a certain cluster of views about the world, language and philosophy. Read the first page
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:


What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
 
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums



So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject