Varieties of Meaning

Ruth Garrett Millikan

How the various things that are said to have meaning--purpose, natural signs, linguistic signs, perceptions, and thoughts--are related to one another.

An outstanding and exciting book on the relationship between purpose and reference, and essential reading for cognitive scientists interested in the naturalization of intentionality. -- Vittorio Gallese, Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma Ruth Millikan's project is nothing less than a complete account of signs -- animal and human, natural and intentional, public and inner -- and it is wonderfully realized, carefully argued, and richly exemplified. Varieties of Meaning is essential and engrossing reading for philosophers of mind, cognitive psychologists and linguists, and for everyone else who cares about how we think and communicate. -- Robyn Carston, University College London Varieties of Meaning is essential reading for those interested in mind and language. Millikan deepens and extends her pioneering theory of mental and linguistic content. She clarifies the role of teleology and information in her approach; she advances the provocative thesis that words can be used to perceive the world directly; and she offers an exciting new account of the difference between human and nonhuman thought. Her pages sparkle with colorful examples of animal behavior, sensible correctives to orthodox views, and resonant new insights. In short, this is quintessential Millikan. -- Jesse J. Prinz, Department of Philosophy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, author of Furnishing the Mind Over past two decades, Ruth Millikan has been showing philosophers how many central philosophical categories are best understood within a biological framework. Her work has revolutionized our understanding of mental representation and language. Varieties of Meaning pulls together these themes and illuminates them further with a series of powerful insights about the evolution of cognition. -- David Papineau, Department of Philosophy, King's College London