John Langshaw Austin

John Langshaw Austin was a British philosopher known for his work in the study of language and meaning, particularly through the lens of "ordinary language philosophy." He argued that everyday language reveals insights about how we think and interact with the world. Rather than focusing solely on abstract theories, Austin emphasized the way people actually use language in context, coining concepts like "speech acts" to describe how saying something can do something—like promising or asserting. His approach challenged traditional views about the relationship between language, thought, and reality, encouraging a closer examination of how language shapes our understanding.