Avram Noam Chomsky
- Born:
- December 7, 1928, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Linguist, Philosopher, Cognitive Scientist, Historian, Social Critic, Political Activist
Early Life and Education
- Early interest in politics and anarchism, influenced by family and current events.
- Graduated from Oak Lane Country Day School.
- B.A. (1949), M.A. (1951), and Ph.D. (1955) in Linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania.
- Junior Fellow at Harvard University from 1951 to 1955.
Career and Major Achievements
- Joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1955.
- Institute Professor Emeritus at MIT.
- Pioneered the field of generative linguistics, revolutionizing the study of language.
- Developed the theory of universal grammar, proposing that all human languages share a common underlying structure.
- Known for his political activism and critique of U.S. foreign policy, as evidenced in works analyzing topics like "rogue states noam chomsky biography" would cover.
- Authored numerous books and articles on linguistics, politics, and social issues.
- Received numerous awards and honorary degrees for his contributions to linguistics and social thought.
Notable Works
Selected Books
- Syntactic Structures (1957)
- Aspects of the Theory of Syntax (1965)
- Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media (with Edward S. Herman, 1988)
- Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance (2003)
- Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy (2006)
- Requiem for the American Dream: The 10 Principles of Concentration of Wealth & Power (2017)
Selected Films
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media | 1992 | Subject |
| Power and Terror: Noam Chomsky in Our Times | 2002 | Subject |
| Requiem for the American Dream | 2015 | Subject |
Legacy and Impact
Noam Chomsky is a highly influential intellectual whose work has profoundly impacted linguistics, cognitive science, philosophy, and political thought. His theories of generative grammar revolutionized the study of language, and his political activism and critique of power structures have inspired generations of activists and scholars.