Noam Chomsky — Wikipedia Summary

Avram Noam Chomsky (born December 7, 1928) is an American intellectual, philosopher, linguist, political activist, and social critic. Called “the father of modern linguistics,” a major figure in analytic philosophy, and one of the founders of cognitive science. Laureate professor of linguistics at the University of Arizona; institute professor emeritus at MIT.

Career in Linguistics

Born Philadelphia. PhD Harvard Society of Fellows (1955) — theory of transformational grammar. Teaching at MIT from 1955. Landmark work: Syntactic Structures (1957). Created or co-created: universal grammar theory, generative grammar theory, Chomsky hierarchy, minimalist program. Pivotal role in decline of linguistic behaviorism; critical of B.F. Skinner.

Political Activism

Outspoken opponent of Vietnam War. Among most cited living authors. Written 150+ books. Manufacturing Consent (with Edward S. Herman) — propaganda model of media criticism.