Philosophy 370: Philosophy of Mind
Final Exam
Instructions: You may not use any source of information other than your memory, your notes, the Zoom recordings and the readings. Number your solutions; put your name on every solution page; pledge your exam and return no later than: Friday, December 11th at 12pm, EST. Email submission is acceptable. A late exam will be penalized 5 points for each hour or part of an hour it is late.
I. Both (a) define or otherwise articulate and (b) explain the philosophical significance, in relation to the philosophy of language, of 20 of the following terms. [2 points each]
| Naming Theory of Language | Maxim of quality |
| Sign-functioning | Figurative Simile Theory |
| Type/token distinction | Infinite Polysemy Thesis |
| Indexical | Semantic Externalism |
| I-language | Borderline case |
| Lexeme | Paradoxical sentence |
| Grammar | Communication |
| Semantics | Speech-act |
| Direct Reference | Empty term |
| Mode of presentation | Passing theory of hearer |
| Definite Description Theory of Names | First meaning |
| Necessary Truth | Indeterminacy of translation |
| Character | Deflationary account of truth |
| Compositionality | Non-natural meaning |
| Vagueness | Full-blooded theory of meaning |
II. Short Essay: [20 points] Answer one of the following question sets.
A. Explain John Locke's, David Lewis', and Noam Chomsky's theories of language. Explain and justify which of the three is the best theory. Describe at least one objection to your chosen theory and defend your chosen theory against it.
B. Explain the following accounts of vagueness: Supervaluationist, Irredeemable Ignorance, Psychological Category, and Interest-Relative. Explain and justify which of the four is the best account. Describe at least one objection to your chosen account and defend your chosen account against it.
III. Essay: [40 points] Depending on how one counts, we considered seven or eight theories of meaning. Pick four of those theories. Fully explain each theory you have chosen. Describe how each theory would articulate the meaning of "The cat is on the mat" and "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall." Compare the pros and cons of each of the four theories. Determine which of your chosen theories is most likely to succeed. Defend this most likely to suceed theory against at least two objections. Justify all your claims.