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December 7, 1928, Birth
Avram Noam Chomsky was born on December 7, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to prominent Hebrew scholars William and Elsie Chomsky. -
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The Life of Avram Noam Chomsky
Noam Chomsky (1928) is an American philosopher whose linguistic theory changed the science of language forever. Graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he joined M.I.T. in 1955. A leader in the ‘cognitive revolution’, Chomsky remains a popular lecturer around the world, has published more than 100 books and received several prestigious awards. Despite his controversial views, Chomsky remains a highly respected force in cognitive science.
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Universal Grammar
In 1956, Chomsky presented his theory of ‘universal grammar’: the idea that all languages are deeply connected on a base level. Normal speakers, therefore, acquire their native language faster and more effectively. This not only changed the field of linguistics but virtually every field that concerns the mind. Perhaps the most controversial of these occurred in the field of developmental psychology in opposition to the idea of behaviorism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfiHd6DyuTU&t=111s -
'Syntactic Structures' Published
In 1957, Noam Chomsky published his most famous work, Syntactic Structures. A rejection of Skinner's ideas on children and behaviorism, Chomsky sought to establish a new theory of the origins of language. Based on his original Ph.D. thesis, his book concluded that language is not a matter of learned behavior but is dependent on a universal language that is common to all humans. Children, therefore, make use of this innate ability to learn the language they are exposed to. -
The Cognitive Revolution
The Cognitive Revolution was a period (the 1950s and 1960s) where new perspectives in linguistics, anthropology, and psychology were being redefined, and new disciplines were emerging. A renewed interest in the mind as a focus of scientific inquiry emerged. Noam Chomsky believed psychology’s focus on behavior was short-sighted, and the field should reincorporate mental functioning into the process if it wanted to offer any meaningful contributions to understanding human behavior. -
Chomsky- Foucault Debate
In 1971, Chomsky & Foucault debated the fundamental qualities of human nature. Chomsky believed that human nature is heavily determined by biology, while Foucault argued that social structures determine personality, values, and social issues. Social sciences, Chomsky adds, could create an ideal society where creativity and scientific discovery will flourish. Foucault stated there is no ideal concept of social justice that can be universally applied. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wfNl2L0Gf8
