Linguophilosophy from al-Farabi to V. von Humboldt: Continuity of Tradition

Abstract

“Philosophy of language” and “logistic theory of language” arose and developed in
linguistics in the XIX and XX centuries. The origins of these directions were created by such prominent
European and Russian scientists as I. Herder, A. Schlegel, V. Humboldt, A. Schleicher, G. Steintal, A.A.
Potebnya, W. Wundt, A. Whitehead, B. Russell, R. Karnap, L. Wittgenstein and many others. Researches
of these problems were of an interdisciplinary nature and were developed by representatives of various
branches of science, primarily linguists and philosophers. However, such reflections on the origin of the
language, its functions, the relation of logic and grammar, language and thinking we can already find in the
writings of both ancient and medieval authors. In this regard, the achievements of Arab-Muslim science, in
particular the works of Abu Nasr al-Farabi, deserve special attention. The purpose of the article is to show
the individual views of the scientist regarding the philosophical problems of language, as well as to trace
their evolution by the example of ideas of scientific representatives of subsequent generations. The research
used such scientific methods as analysis, synthesis, comparison, classification, deduction and analogy. The
key results of the survey allow concluding that al-Farabi as far back as the X century expressed progressive
ideas regarding philosophical problems, which found their development and confirmation in subsequent
eras.