We become obsessed with 'truth' when discussing statements, just as we become obsessed with 'freedom' when discussing conduct...Like freedom, truth is a… — J. L. Austin Discussing Copy Share Image
Usually it is uses of words, not words in themselves, that are properly called vague. — J. L. Austin Fake Copy Share Image
In the one defense, briefly, we accept responsibility but deny that it was bad: in the other, we admit that it was… — J. L. Austin Accepting Copy Share Image
Are cans constitutionally iffy? Whenever, that is, we say that we can do something, or could do something, or could have done… — J. L. Austin Can do Copy Share Image
The trouble is that the expression 'material thing' is functioning already, from the very beginning, simply as a foil for 'sense-datum'; it… — J. L. Austin Consideration Copy Share Image
The beginning of sense, not to say wisdom, is to realize that 'doing an action,' as used in philosophy, is a highly… — J. L. Austin Abstract Copy Share Image
Is it true or false that Belfast is north of London? That the galaxy is the shape of a fried egg? That… — J. L. Austin Battle Copy Share Image
Certainly ordinary language has no claim to be the last word, if there is such a thing. It embodies, indeed, something better… — J. L. Austin Acumen Copy Share Image
Our common stock of words embodies all the distinctions men have found worth drawing, and the connexions they have found worth marketing,… — J. L. Austin Afternoon Copy Share Image
It should be quite clear, then, that there are no criteria to be laid down in general for distinguishing the real from… — J. L. Austin Clear Copy Share Image
In one sense 'there are' both universals and material objects, in another sense there is no such thing as either: statements about… — J. L. Austin Materials Copy Share Image
Certainly ordinary language has no claim to be the last word, if there is such a thing. — J. L. Austin Claims Copy Share Image
I begin, then, with some remarks about 'the meaning of a word.' I think many persons now see all or part of… — J. L. Austin Apologizing Copy Share Image
Next, 'real' is what we may call a trouser-word. It is usually thought, and I dare say usually rightly thought, that what… — J. L. Austin Affirmative Copy Share Image
There is no one kind of thing that we 'perceive' but many different kinds, the number being reducible if at all by… — J. L. Austin Cinema Copy Share Image
But surely, speaking carefully, we do not sense 'red' and 'blue' any more than 'resemblance' (or 'qualities' any more than 'relations'): we… — J. L. Austin Blue Copy Share Image
Why should it not be the whole function of a word to denote many things? — J. L. Austin Function Copy Share Image
However well equipped our language, it can never be forearmed against all possible cases that may arise and call for description: fact… — J. L. Austin Arise Copy Share Image
Let us distinguish between acting intentionally and acting deliberately or on purpose, as far as this can be done by attending to… — J. L. Austin Acting Copy Share Image
But I owe it to the subject to say, that it has long afforded me what philosophy is so often thought, and… — J. L. Austin Agreement Copy Share Image
A sentence is made up of words, a statement is made in words.... Statements are made, words or sentences are used. — J. L. Austin Language Copy Share Image
You are more than entitled not to know what the word 'performative' means. It is a new word and an ugly word,… — J. L. Austin Entitled Copy Share Image
