Ryan M. Nefdt: Language, science, and structure. A journey into the philosophy of linguistics

Right at the outset, in the Preface the author clarifies important issues.He emphasizes that he does not consider himself "a mentalist, platonist, nominalist, or a pluralist" (p.ix).This declaration is relevant insofar as current linguistics is burdened with acrimonious discussions among different schools, most of which advocate their own truths while fiercely rejecting any other approach. 1Moreover, philosophers of linguistics are also inclined to take sides for or against particular linguistic theories.That the author strives for a balanced approach to the philosophy of linguistics is a merit of the book.However, as I will indicate later in this review, his impartiality is fully compatible with the fact that in some of the chapters he puts forward his own solution to crucial foundational problems of linguistic inquiry.The introductory chapter starts with stating that the author treats linguistics as a science and the philosophy of linguistics as a subfield of the philosophy of science"[] Thus, the tools of scientific modelling, debates on scientific progress, realism and structural realism inter alia will inform the general methodology going forward.However, in some chapters the lines will inevitably be blurred.[] I will advocate that the study of linguistic structure can illuminate the ontology of structures themselves or rather a particular kind of biological structure.Indeed, the two approaches are not incompatible.Looking to linguistics as a means of illuminating philosophical problems is still possible on my approach in the same ways that the philosophy of biology or chemistry might attempt to shed light on problems in metaphysics.(p.1-2.