“You are more than entitled not to know what the word 'performative' means. It is a new word and an ugly word, and perhaps it does not mean anything very much. But at any rate there is one thing in its favor, it is not a profound word.”

About J. L. Austin

Philosopher • British

John Langshaw 'J. L.' Austin was a highly influential British philosopher of language and a leading figure in the school of ordinary language philosophy. He is best known for developing the theory of speech acts, which...