A1 : ON PHILOSOPHY OF LANGUAGE

1. CASE:*
Jack said to his brother, Dick, “When I die I’ll leave you my money.” The next day, Jack changed
his mind and decided to give his money to his wife instead, so he wrote in his will, “All my
money I leave to my next of kin” (his wife). But unknown to Jack, his wife had died. The next
day, Jack himself died and his money went to his next of kin, his brother Dick. Did Jack keep his
promise to Dick or didn’t he?”

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*Adapted from the exercises in John Hospers’ An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis 4 edition.

2. Answer the following:*

(a) Did Jack keep his promise to Dick or didn’t he?” Explain your answer.
(b) Identify and explain the verbal issue in the given case.
(c) Discuss how the verbal issue could have been avoided.

(*Your discussions and analysis must reflect application of at least one relevant concept that you
learned in the philosophy of language part of our course.)

3. The following will be the criteria for grading A1:

a. Organization (clarity of presented answer/ ideas, consistency and coherence)
b. Correctness (well-explained answer, correctly discussed and aptly applied
philosophical principles and concepts from philosophy of language)
c. Strength of Justifications

4. Strictly follow the submission schedule. The deadline is non-negotiable.

Schedule of Submission: June 10-June 22, 2018.

Please take note that the deadline for the submission of A1 is on June 22, 2018, 11:55 pm. This
means that A1 submission bin will close at exactly 11:55 pm of June 22, 2018.

5. To ensure that you will be able to submit the requirements on time, please avoid last
minute submissions. This is in consideration of some unexpected technical mishaps that
might prevent prompt submission of your output.

6. I also highly recommend that you take a screenshot of your successfully uploaded/posted
output and be ready to show this as your proof of submission in case of technical mishaps.
In case presenting acceptable proof of submission is called for and you are unable to show
one, I will take it to mean that you did not submit your output.

7. Your answer must not exceed 2 pages.

8. Please review the uploaded “Guidelines for Assignments (As)” on pages 10-11 of the course
guide. Carefully read and follow the instructions. Corresponding deductions will be given to
those who will not follow the instructions.

Please be guided properly. Thanks.