Creative Aspect of Language Use and Descartes’ Problem

For Descartes, there are two basic signs to distinguish between human beings and animal-machine: using language and the variety of human behaviors. Using language by humans is always novel, free from control by external stimuli and appropriate to a specific situation, which any animal-machine is unable to do. Descartes considers these features as gifts from God. Chomsky formulates these features as creative aspect of language use. He believes that the main problem, entitled as Descartes’ Problem, is how or why we choose a certain sentence. Chomsky says that he does not have the right solution but also does not accept a spiritual essence either, which is Descartes’ answer to the issue. Since this problem does not have a straight answer, present critiques attack the assumptions that allow Chomsky to outline such a problem. The purpose of this paper is to review some of Chomsky’s claims that stand on these assumptions. In this paper, Descartes’ problem is explained from both Descartes’ and Chomsky’s points of view, next, some questions usually asked of Chomsky are presented, and thereafter, his answer are reviewed. Finally, a few questions (critiques) of some Descartes problem assumptions from this paper’s position are exhibited.