Information on the thesis

In the dissertation work the historical and philosophical analysis of the
origins, characteristics of formation and trends of development of contemporary
analytic philosophy are implemented, its pragmatic-cognitive interpretation is
proposed. The changes of geographical and chronological limits of analytic
philosophy, its modern time subject and research methodology in comparison to
traditional patterns are investigated. The reasons for the crisis of formalistic
approach are defined as well as preconditions of growing interest of analytic
philosophy representatives to the study of pragmatic aspect of language.
Emphasizing the importance of the ideas of “late” L. Wittgenstein for the
implementation of pragmatic and cognitive turn in analytic philosophy, author
proves that the evolution of contemporary analytic philosophy was a result of the
gradual transition from the study of pragmatics of language to conceptualized
understanding of consciousness.
In the context of ideas established within pragmatics of language particular
attention is paid to the rehabilitation of metaphysical issues in neopragmatism
(W. V. O. Quine); shortcomings of understanding the concept of truth in
deflationism; pragmatic aspects of reference (linguo-philosophical, cognitive,
socio-causal, psychophysical and integral); features of pragmatic approach to
distinguishing between the concepts of sense and meaning in linguistic philosophy,
intentionalism, gradualism and conceptualism. Author also proposes his own way
of solving the rule-following problem (skeptical paradox, studied by
L. Wittgenstein and S. A. Kripke) – the way that finds stability criterion of
language expression meaning. It is proved that language itself is this criterion.
Possibilities of language are sufficient to regulate the assigning correct meaning to
words by rules.
However, it is specified that the study of language is impossible without
detailed study of its cognitive preconditions. Therefore, in the context of cognitive
turn in analytic philosophy the study of consciousness begins with theoretical and
conceptual analysis of the mind-body problem considering its reductionist or
antireductionist interpretation. Linguo-cognitive aspects of intentionality – a
concept that is the key to cooperation between phenomenology and analytical
philosophy of mind – is considered apart. While researching the philosophical
debates on such concepts specificating mind-body problem as qualia, philosophical
zombie and the language of thought author concludes that most of them currently
lack scientific basis due to the complexity of the issues. In this context the
appealing to the results of non-verifiable thought experiments undergoes skeptical
examination.
A cognitive justification of the concept of artificial intelligence is proposed.
Particular attention is paid to the specificity of expressing the meanings via
symbols. The language in the philosophy of artificial intelligence is considered as a
means of semantic organization of knowledge. To express this knowledge,
scientists tried to simulate the situation of speech communication as close as
possible and to take into account the variability of beliefs. However, neither the
current computational nor connectional approaches to the reproduction of human
ability of understanding using artificial devices do satisfy the requirements of the
Turing test – their functioning is more similar to a “Chinese room” by J. Searle. To
finally find out how to teach an artificial intelligence to understand, we must also
fundamentally investigate what is self, the way an artificial personality should be
and how free will is possible. In addition, the dissertation especially draws attention
to the moral and ethical aspects of artificial intelligence theory associated with the
impact that robots or certain scientific and technical developments have on a human,
his/her self, security and future existence. In this regard, the concept of friendly
artificial intelligence, which is scarcely possible to implement, is critically examined.
To ensure the integrity of the study, the interpretation of contemporary
analytic philosophy, alternative to cognitive-pragmatic interpretation, is analyzed
apart. The features of interaction between analytic and continental philosophy (in
the form of phenomenology, hermeneutics, postmodernism etc.) are revealed. The
key methods of criticism of analytic methodology are shown as well as response to
them. It is emphasized that the analytic philosophy is constantly evolving and now
its methodology experiences humanitarian and cultural redescription. Therefore, the
subject of analytic philosophy now includes the philosophical questions of socio-
anthropological, moral, political, ethical, religious, metaphysical, historical kind. It
is proved that these changes help to develop the idea of analytic philosophy in
Ukraine, a rational basis for which together with urgent need has long been
available. The satisfaction of this urgent need not only can develop the Ukrainian
philosophical thought, but analytic philosophy as such.
Keywords: language, consciousness, artificial intelligence, sense, meaning,
reference, truth, mind-body problem, understanding.