Philosophical Approaches to Communication

This book is intended to introduce readers to the various philosophical theories of communication by elaborating upon a number of key philosophers situated within differing perspectives. Having identified their concerns, they are then subjected to critical overview. The book is split into three sections, each focussing on specific philosophers and their ideas. The first section look at those whose work might be considered as focusing on the production of communication (Saussure, Peirce and Foucault), the next section examines those authors whose writings are more centred upon the interpretation or reading of communicative messages (Eco, Derrida and Gadamer) and the last chapters shift attention towards the effect or actions that result from communication (Austin, Grice, Searle and Habermas).