Meaning and Use (Studies in Linguistics and Philosophy, 3) - Symposium

In this review of Meaning and Use (Studies in Linguistics and Philosophy, 3), the reviewer finds a focused, historically grounded volume valuable for readers interested in the debate between formal semantics and speech act approaches. Compiled from the second Jerusalem Philosophical Encounter in 1976, the collection serves both as commemoration of Yehoshua Bar-Hillel and as a concentrated snapshot of arguments about whether meaning or use should be primary in the analysis of natural language. This edition is best for scholars and graduate students who want primary symposium material rather than a contemporary textbook.

Key Features

• Symposium origin: Presents proceedings from the second Jerusalem Philosophical Encounter, capturing discussions held April 25-28, 1976, which gives readers direct access to the original exchanges and context.
• Historical framing: Functions as a commemoration of Yehoshua Bar-Hillel and preserves the intellectual atmosphere surrounding his work and sudden passing.
• Debate focus: Concentrates on the central philosophical question of whether formal semantic theories or speech act and communicative approaches have priority, providing targeted material for those studying theory choice.
• Interdisciplinary interest: Appeals to both linguistics and philosophy audiences by addressing semantics, reference, and theories of communication in one collected volume.
• Primary source value: Offers original symposium contributions rather than secondhand summaries, useful for citation and historical study.

Who It's For

This book is aimed at researchers, advanced students, and historians of analytic philosophy who want primary-source documentation of the 1976 debate over meaning versus use. It works well for readers tracing the development of ideas about truth functional meaning, reference theory, and speech acts as they were discussed in a major philosophical encounter.

Those seeking a modern textbook introduction or a gentle survey of contemporary pragmatics should look elsewhere; the volume assumes familiarity with core issues in semantics and philosophy of language and is strongest as a historical and scholarly resource.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides direct access to symposium proceedings, preserving the original exchanges and arguments from the 1976 meeting.
• Offers concentrated discussion on the priority question between formal semantics and communicative approaches, useful for focused research.
• Serves as a fitting commemoration of Yehoshua Bar-Hillel and situates the debate within its historical moment.

Cons

• The volume is archival in nature and may be terse or assume background knowledge, making it less suitable as an introductory text for newcomers.

Specifications

Title	Meaning and Use (Studies in Linguistics and Philosophy, 3)
Event	Second Jerusalem Philosophical Encounter
Event dates	April 25-28, 1976
Occasion	Commemoration of Yehoshua Bar-Hillel
Main topic	Debate: formal semantics versus speech act/use approaches
Intended audience	Scholars in linguistics and philosophy

Our Verdict

Meaning and Use is a valuable archival collection for specialists who need original symposium material on the meaning versus use debate and for those studying Yehoshua Bar-Hillel's influence. It is good value as a reference work and historical document, though readers seeking introductory exposition or modern pedagogy should consult contemporary textbooks instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a modern textbook on semantics?
Answer. No; it is a collection of symposium proceedings from 1976 and functions as a primary-source volume rather than a contemporary introductory text.

Does the volume focus on Yehoshua Bar-Hillel's work?
Answer. The symposium was held in his honor and his questions frame the debate, but the book contains contributions from multiple participants discussing meaning and use.

Who benefits most from this book?
Answer. Scholars, graduate students, and historians of philosophy and linguistics researching the development of semantic and pragmatic theory will gain the most.