Quantitative methods in philosophy of language

Date
2019
Advisor
Instructor
Source Title
Philosophy Compass
Print ISSN
1747-9991
Electronic ISSN
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Volume
14
Issue
7
Pages
e12609
Language
English
Type
Article
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Abstract

In this paper, I survey and defend the use of quantitative methods in philosophy of language. Quantitative methods in philosophy of language include a wide variety of methods, ranging from model‐based techniques (computer simulations and mathematical models) to data‐driven approaches (experimental philosophy and corpus‐based studies). After offering a few case studies of these methodologies in action, I single out some debates in philosophy of language that are especially well served by their use. These are cases in which quantitative methods increase precision, improve the accuracy and reliability of results, and allow philosophers of language to borrow from other fields the best epistemic practices available. I conclude with some far‐reaching considerations about the role of qualitative and quantitative methods in debates about philosophical methodology.

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Published Version (Please cite this version)