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263-5353-20L 3 Credits DS D-GESS
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Philosophy of Language and Computation II

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Juan Luis Gastaldi, Prof. Dr. Ryan Cotterell
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:21:27

Abstract

Understand the philosophical underpinnings of language-based artificial intelligence.

Objective

This graduate class, taught like a seminar, is designed to help you understand the philosophical underpinnings of modern work in natural language processing (NLP), most of which is centered around statistical machine learning applied to natural language data.

Content

This graduate class, taught like a seminar, is designed to help you understand the philosophical underpinnings of modern work in natural language processing (NLP), most of which is centered around statistical machine learning applied to natural language data. The course is a year-long journey, but the second half (Spring 2023) does not depend on the first (Fall 2022) and thus either half may be taken independently. In each semester, we divide the class time into three modules. Each module is centered around a philosophical topic. After discussing logical, structuralist, and generative approaches to language in the first semester, in the second semester we will focus on information, language games, and pragmatics. The modules will be four weeks long. During the first two weeks of a module, we will read and discuss original texts and supplementary criticism. During the second two weeks, we will read recent NLP papers and discuss how the authors of those works are building on philosophical insights into our conception of language—perhaps implicitly or unwittingly.

Resources

Literature

The literature will be provided by the instructors on the class website

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DS

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Philosophy of Language and Computation II
  • Tue 10:15-12:00 (CHN D 29)
2 h weekly
exercise Philosophy of Language and Computation II
  • Tue 12:15-13:00 (CHN D 29)
1 h weekly

Offered In

  • Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
    • Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)