John Austin and analytic philosophy of language

Abstract

Analytic philosophy of language comprehends an important period in the history of philosophy. At present the relevant theme in the philosophical scene is no longer the Greek Being, nor the medieval God, nor the Subject of modernity, but Language. These are the questions guiding this article: What are the characteristics of analytic philosophy of language? What authors as diverse as Frege, Wittgenstein and Austin, among others, have in common? And what are the major differences between them? What is the role of John Austin in analytic philosophy of language? The view that most philosophical problems are due to misunderstandings and incomprehension generated by the ambiguity of natural language seems to be a common feature of the authors of this period. However, both the form of analysis of natural language and the proposed solution to this problem clearly differ in them. Apparently the analytic tradition of language can be seen in two movements: the first one with authors such as Frege and Wittgenstein (Logical-philosophical Treatise) and the second one with Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations) and Austin, who occupies a prominent position in the article because of his contributions to the analysis of the importance of the context, its use, the speakers? intention, grammar and the rules.