Practical knowledge and linguistic competence

I begin by introducing the distinction between practical and propositional (or theoretical) knowledge. Then I consider some objections to it, with special attention to the ones put forward by Stanley and Williamson. Afterwards, I briefly summarize Chomsky’s position on linguistic competence—a position that, as mentioned, is based on the idea that linguistic competence consists in propositional knowledge. Finally, I criticize both the theoretical and the empirical arguments Chomsky puts forward in favor of his view and present some observations in favor of the idea that linguistic competence is ultimately practical.