Chomsky Ideas and Ideals

Noam Chomsky continues to be one of the most influential intellectual

figures of modern times. His wide-ranging contributions to the fields of

linguistics, psychology, philosophy, and politics have revolutionized our

view of language, the mind, and human nature. Assuming no prior knowledge

of linguistics, this book explores Chomsky’s key theories, especially

recent developments in his Minimalist Program, addressing issues such as:

How do we know a language? How do children acquire this knowledge?

How did language evolve?

This third edition has been expanded and thoroughly updated and includes

an exploration of Chomsky’s contributions to philosophy and psychology,

outlining the impact of his radical and often controversial views. It concludes

with an account of his political activism and his critique of recent developments

such as the Arab Spring, Wikileaks, and the Occupy movement. There

is also a new section covering his views on climate change and nuclear

disarmament.