Language, Meaning, Interpretation

The articles in this volume deal with problems pervading most philosophical traditions, as well as with the future of philosophy. Some philosophers are quite pessimistic, thinking that philosophy - especially professional philosophy in academic institutions - doesn't seem to make much progress and has isolated itself from society at large. Thoughts of a possible end of philosophy among some philosophers appear to have at least three sources: the disillusionment about the present outcome of analytical philosophy, the impossibility of fulfilling the dream of finding an unquestionable foundation for knowledge, and connected with this, the end of the philosophy of Being. Most philosophers however, think that the future of their subject has never been richer or more promising, and that it is definitely too early to introduce "funeral rites". We are reminded that philosophy should not forget one of its traditional tasks: to contribute to the education of the public by providing values according to which people can live. Philosophy of logic and language, and of meaning and communication are central to this volume. The discussion of these issues involves analytical approaches, including semantics and semiotics, philosophy of science, mathematical logic, phenomenology, hermeneutics and some aspects of philosophical anthropology and aesthetics. Philosophy of the Absolute also belongs to this broad repertoire of philosophical problems and disciplines. A number of problems and viewpoints derive from the metaphysical system; any relativistic view on ethical values, for instance, makes sense in relation to some absolute. Metaphysical system building may have come to an end, but after all it belongs to philosophy to remind us of our past.