Single Idea 2484

[catalogued under 19. Language / F. Communication / 4. Private Language]

Full Idea

If the Mentalese story about the content of thought is true, then there couldn't be a Private Language Argument. Good. That explains why there isn't one.

Gist of Idea

The theory of the content of thought as 'Mentalese' explains why the Private Language Argument doesn't work

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (In a Critical Condition [2000], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Fodor,Jerry A.: 'In Critical Condition' [MIT 2000], p.68


A Reaction

Presumably Mentalese implies that all language is, in the first instance, intrinsically private. Dogs, for example, need Mentalese, since they self-evidently think.