Fact and Norm in Locke's Theory of Language:

An Analysis of the Linguistic Thesis

Abstract

Locke's theory of language is often taken to insist on the possibility of a private language of the kind that is denied by Wittgenstein, and is severely criticized on this basis. It is true that Locke's linguistic thesis appears to be in support of the possibility of a private language. However, Locke also insists on the public nature of language, and so his theory cannot be easily discounted on grounds of his support for the possibility of a private language. Moreover, if it is because of his linguistic thesis that his language theory is regarded as the theory of a private language, it is possible to avoid this criticism due to the merit of the linguistic thesis itself. This paper demonstrates this point by elucidating the normative and factual aspects of Locke's linguistic thesis.