Reflections on Language

Reflections on Language is a 1975 book in which MIT linguist Noam Chomsky argues for a rationalist approach to human nature. Under this approach, specific capabilities are innate to humans, as opposed to an empiricist approach, in which there is no innate human nature but rather a "blank slate" upon which psychological and social forces act.^[1] The New York Times selected the book as among the year's best.^[2]

Reflections on Language

First edition
Author	Noam Chomsky
Subject	Social science
Publisher	Random House
Publication date	1975
Pages	269

Contents

• Chapter 1. On Cognitive Capacity
• Chapter 2. The Object of Inquiry
• Chapter 3. Some General Features of Language
• Chapter 4. Problems and Mysteries in the Study of Human Language