Explanation and Meaning An Introduction to Philosophy

In this 1970 introduction to philosophy Mr Taylor concentrates on two central topics - explanation and meaning. He takes the argument far enough to acquaint the reader first-hand with the methods and approach of analytical philosophy, and yet because of the scope of these two topics he is able to introduce many of the traditional philosophical problems in epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, and logic. By this approach he avoids the dangers both of superficiality and of undue technicality. Philosophers are concerned to analyse and describe certain concepts and modes of argument, not to establish facts or conclusions of any sort that can be tested by formal demonstration or controlled observation; their findings cannot be conveniently categorized or graded into a comprehensive and progressive course of studies. Mr Taylor meets this difficulty with his extended discussions of specific topics and questions which have implications over the whole subject.

Acknowledgements; Preface; 1. Explanation: introduction; 2. Scientific explanation; 3. The confirmation of scientific explanation; 4. What-explanations; 5. Explanations in terms of mental states and events; 6. Reasons; 7. Explanation in history; 8. Aspects of explanation in literature and criticism; 9. Meaning: introduction; 10. Causal theories of meaning; 11. 'Fido' - fido theories of meaning; 12. Understanding and knowing the meaning of words; 13. Meaning and definition; 14. Meaning and what is meant; 15. A theory of meaning; Further reading; Index.

In this 1970 introduction to philosophy Mr Taylor concentrates on two central topics - explanation and meaning. He takes the argument far enough to acquaint the reader with analytical philosophy, and yet because of the scope of these two topics he is able to introduce many of the traditional philosophical problems.