The Limits of Innateness: A Critical Realist Examination of Chomsky's Theory of Language Acquisition

Abstract This paper examines the intersection of Critical Realism and Noam Chomsky’s theory of Universal Grammar (UG) within the context of linguistic inquiry. Chomsky’s contributions to linguistics, particularly his theory of innate grammar, have sparked extensive debate regarding the scientific rigor of his methodologies. Critical Realism, a philosophical framework that emphasizes the exploration of underlying structures and mechanisms while acknowledging the limitations of human knowledge, provides a unique perspective for evaluating Chomsky’s theories. This study applies Critical Realism to assess Chomsky’s ontological and epistemological assumptions, empirical validity, and explanatory power, offering a nuanced analysis of Chomsky’s approach to language acquisition. Keywords: Critical Realism, Universal Grammar, Linguistic Inquiry, Ontological and Epistemological Assumption