Davidson’s Contribution to the Philosophy of Logic and Language: Discussing

Lepore and Ludwig have provided a magnificently impressive critical detailed account of Donald Davidson’s contributions to the philosophy of logic, language, and mind. Much of their discussion is concerned with the careful examination of various arguments that can be attributed to Davidson. They conclude in almost every case that the arguments do not work, either because they are invalid, have false premises, or beg the question. A careless or forgetful reader might be excused for wondering what the point of the exercise has been. If none of Davidson’s arguments are any good, then in what way has Davidson made any sort of positive contribution to philosophy? Clearly the book is premised on the idea that Davidson is a major figure who has made important contributions, and there is considerable discussion especially in the initial chapters of what those contributions ∗Ernest Lepore and Kirk Ludwig, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005)