Sense and Sensibilia criticises the sense-datum theory by claiming that the concept of sense-datum was introduced to explain misperception, but at the same time it implies that all the misperceptions are of the same nature, which goes against the results of scientific experiments. The whole direct vs. representative realism debate is then disclosed as taking place within the framework of the Court Metaphor, consisting of concepts of 'evidence', 'judgement' etc., reinforced by the quasi-scientific model of the mind as Camera Obscura. The debate is rejected as introducing standards of certainty defined in logic into epistemology to combat scepticism, thus rejecting epistemology in the traditional sense.

The Meaning of a Word contains Austin's negative theory of meaning, which ultimately turns into the methodological advice 'when looking for the meaning of a word, do not rest contended with one example of its use, but consider all the contexts, in which the word is used'. This was misinterpreted as favouring ordinary language as opposed to the technical jargon of philosophy.

How to Do Things with Words highlights the fact that we have many words with which to describe the uses of language - the illocutionary verbs - and the reduction of the functions of language to description grossly distorts our picture of it. The final discovery of the book - that the theory of meaning as sense and reference is inadequate - has been ignored by its successors, which enabled the return of mentalism and compositionalism into the philosophy of language.

"Perhaps it is expecting a good deal from the philosophical community to want to have Austin's epistemology understood so soon after its publication. But this understanding cannot wait much longer, or his contribution may be discarded - understood or not."

(Jack Pustilnik, 1964)

"Indeed, Sense and Sensibilia is one of the most unjustly neglected classics of analytic philosophy, and I strongly urge all of you to read or reread it with care."

(Hilary Putnam, 1994)

1. Introduction.............................................................1
2. Sense and Sensibilia - The End of Epistemology...........................2
   2.1 Sense and Sensibilia and its Target..................................2
   2.2 Ayer's Doctrine......................................................3
   2.3 Austin's Criticism...................................................7
       2.3.1 The Illusion of Illusion.......................................8
             2.3.1.1 Between Philosophy and Psychology.....................12
       2.3.2 The Pursuit of the Incorrigible...............................14
             2.3.2.1 The Logical Point Remains.............................14
             2.3.2.2 Of Skepticism with Regard to the Senses...............17
             2.3.2.3 The Final Blows.......................................20
       2.3.3 The Court Metaphor............................................22
              2.3.3.1 The Systematic Point.................................25
              2.3.3.2 The Semantic Point - A Methodological Consideration..27
   2.4 'What Does it Do?'..................................................37
       2.4.1 The History of the Camera Model...............................37
       2.4.2 The Present of the Camera Model...............................40
             2.4.2.1 Natural vs. Direct Realism - Where Putnam Went Astray.42
       2.4.3 Sellars and Austin............................................46
3. The Meaning of a Word - An Empty Space at the Heart of the System.......48
   3.1 An Empty Space......................................................49
   3.2 The Heart of the System.............................................50
   3.3 Where Methodology Meets Theory......................................51
       3.3.1 Of the Name 'Ordinary Language Philosophy'....................53
             3.3.1.1 The Portrait of the Enemy.............................54
             3.3.1.2 Austin's Alternative..................................59
4. How to Do Things with Words - Linnaeus of Speech Acts...................62
   4.1 The Constative and Performative.....................................62
       4.1.1 The Application of the Performative Doctrine..................64
   4.2 The Speech Acts.....................................................68
       4.2.1 Theory of Meaning Revisited...................................70
   4.3 Reception of HTD....................................................71
       4.3.1 Warnock's Mistake.............................................71
       4.3.2 The Gricean Heresy and the Introduction of Intention..........74
       4.3.3 Searle's Speech Acts..........................................76
             4.3.3.1 Meaning - Part III....................................78
             4.3.3.2 The Astonishing Turn..................................80
5. Language, World and Thought: Austin in a Broader Perspective............84
   5.1 The Descriptive Fallacy and the 'Greatest Revolution' in Philosophy.84
   5.2 Austin's Correspondence View of Language............................85
   5.3 Philosophy and the Sciences.........................................87
6. Conclusion..............................................................89
7. Bibliography............................................................92