Philosophy of Language in a Different Voice-On Wilhelm von Humboldt`s Views of World-Disclosing Function of Language and Dialogical Character of Reason

Abstract

This article explores Wilhelm von Humboldt`s contributions to the study of semantic and pragmatic dimension of philosophy of language. In contrast to Aristotle`s instrumental view of language, Humboldt emphasizes the world-disclosing function of language. Without appealing to any kind of metaphysical realism, Humboldt justifies the objectivity of thought by the dialogical structure of speech. After pro-viding commentary on Humboldt`s resolution to the inner tension between relativistic world-view of language and the universal validity-claims in mutual understanding in his philosophy of language, this paper also discusses the important meaning of this resolution for the study of philosophy itself. Adapted from the source document