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Full Idea
Chomsky now contends that not only the syntax of natural language but also the concepts expressible in it have an innate basis.
Clarification
'Syntax' is sentence structure
Gist of Idea
Chomsky now says concepts are basically innate, as well as syntax
Source
report of Noam Chomsky (Chomsky on himself [1994]) by E.J. Lowe - Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind Ch.7 n25
Book Ref
Lowe,E.J.: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind' [CUP 2000], p.188
A Reaction
This seems to follow Fodor, who has been mocked for implying that we have an innate idea of a screwdriver etc. Note that Chomsky says concepts have an innate 'basis'. This fits well with modern (cautious) rationalism, with which I am happy.
18006 | Chomsky's 'interpretative semantics' says syntax comes first, and is then interpreted [Chomsky, by Magidor] |
6649 | Chomsky now says concepts are basically innate, as well as syntax [Chomsky, by Lowe] |
18007 | Syntax is independent of semantics; sentences can be well formed but meaningless [Chomsky, by Magidor] |
18009 | Chomsky established the view that category mistakes are well-formed but meaningless [Chomsky, by Magidor] |