Language, Truth, and Logic

Alfred Jules Ayer

Courier Corporation, Jan 1, 1952 - Philosophy - 160 pages

"A delightful book … I should like to have written it myself." — Bertrand Russell
First published in 1936, this first full-length presentation in English of the Logical Positivism of Carnap, Neurath, and others has gone through many printings to become a classic of thought and communication. It not only surveys one of the most important areas of modern thought; it also shows the confusion that arises from imperfect understanding of the uses of language. A first-rate antidote for fuzzy thought and muddled writing, this remarkable book has helped philosophers, writers, speakers, teachers, students, and general readers alike.
Mr. Ayers sets up specific tests by which you can easily evaluate statements of ideas. You will also learn how to distinguish ideas that cannot be verified by experience — those expressing religious, moral, or aesthetic experience, those expounding theological or metaphysical doctrine, and those dealing with a priori truth. The basic thesis of this work is that philosophy should not squander its energies upon the unknowable, but should perform its proper function in criticism and analysis.

What people are saying

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - JorgeCarvajal - LibraryThing

I read the "squashed" version of the book and I can agree that while it is not "wrong", the content of the book is incomplete. But mostly, it is very intriguing and thought-provoking and it's a good start for enquiring about language and it's relationship with philosophy.

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - JuliaF - LibraryThing

I know this is a seminal text but I'm finding it a tough read. The writing style is dense, reflecting its origin in the 1930's. It's a challenging book, posing the question of how we judge what truth ...

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Bibliographic information

• Title: Language, Truth, and Logic; Volume 10 of Donald F. Koch American Philosophy Collection; Dover books on philosophy and psychology; Dover books on philosophy; Pelican book
• Author: Alfred Jules Ayer
• Edition: unabridged, reprint
• Publisher: Courier Corporation, 1952
• ISBN: 0486200108, 9780486200101
• Length: 160 pages
• Subjects: Philosophy / History & Surveys / Modern; Philosophy / Logic; Philosophy / Methodology