260029 Talk Without Truth: Expressivism in Philosophy of Language (S) (SoSe 2026)

Contents, comment

Philosophers are always going on about truth. We regularly exchange intuitions about which statements we take to be true and use them to guide our theorising. But what if this methodology rests on a mistaken assumption? What if many ordinary statements just aren't the kind of thing that is true or false? Expressivists say just this and often draw an analogy between terms of a certain kind and exclamations like 'ouch' and 'oops', which certainly express something but aren't obviously capable of truth or falsity. In this course, we'll consider the motivations for expressivism, the challenges it faces, and the various kinds of language that it has been applied to.

Requirements for participation, required level

Abschluss des ersten Studienjahres (beide Grundkurse, Philosophischer Einstieg und Philosophisches Schreiben).

Teaching staff

Dates ( Calendar view )

Frequency Weekday Time Format / Place Period  
weekly Mo 14-16   13.04.-24.07.2026

Subject assignments

Module Course Requirements  
26-GL_ETH Basics Ethics Grundlagen Ethik Seminar 1 Study requirement
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Seminar 2 Study requirement
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26-GL_PDG Basics Philosophy of Mind Grundlagen Philosophie des Geistes Seminar 1 Study requirement
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26-HM_PP2_ME Main Module PP2: Metaethics Hauptmodul PP2: Metaethik Seminar 1 Study requirement
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26-HM_PP6_AESTH Main Module PP6: Aesthetics Hauptmodul PP6: Ästhetik Seminar 1 Study requirement
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Seminar 2 Study requirement
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26-HM_PP_Satellit Satellite Module Practical Philosophy Satellitenmodul Praktische Philosophie Seminar aus der Praktischen Philosophie Study requirement
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26-HM_TP4_SP Main Module TP4: Philosophy of Language Hauptmodul TP4: Sprachphilosophie Seminar 1 Study requirement
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26-HM_TP6_PG Main Module TP6: Philosophy of Mind Hauptmodul TP6: Philosophie des Geistes Seminar 1 Study requirement
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26-HM_TP8_GTP Main Module TP8: History of Theoretical Philosophy Hauptmodul TP8: Geschichte der Theoretischen Philosophie Seminar 1 Study requirement
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26-HM_TP_Satellit Satellite Module Theoretical Philosophy Satellitenmodul Theoretische Philosophie Seminar aus der Theoretischen Philosophie Study requirement
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26-VT_ETH Specialization Ethics Vertiefung Ethik Seminar 1 Study requirement
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Seminar 2 Study requirement
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- Graded examination Student information
26-VT_PDG Specialization Philosophy of Mind Vertiefung Philosophie des Geistes Seminar 1 Study requirement
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Seminar 2 Study requirement
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The binding module descriptions contain further information, including specifications on the "types of assignments" students need to complete. In cases where a module description mentions more than one kind of assignment, the respective member of the teaching staff will decide which task(s) they assign the students.

Degree programme/academic programme Validity Variant Subdivision Status Semester LP  
Studieren ab 50    
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Address:
SS2026_260029@ekvv.uni-bielefeld.de
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Last update basic details/teaching staff:
Thursday, December 18, 2025 
Last update times:
Thursday, December 18, 2025 
Last update rooms:
Thursday, December 18, 2025 
Type(s) / SWS (hours per week per semester)
seminar (S) /
Language
This lecture is taught in english
Department
Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology / Department of Philosophy
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645446093