Avram Noam Chomsky (born December 7, 1928) is an American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, political activist, and author, widely regarded as one of the most influential intellectuals of the 20th century. Born in Philadelphia to Jewish immigrant parents, Chomsky demonstrated an early interest in language and politics. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned both his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in linguistics.
Chomsky is best known for revolutionizing the field of linguistics with his development of the theory of generative grammar, which posits that the ability to generate language is a unique human cognitive capacity. His landmark works, including Syntactic Structures (1957) and Aspects of the Theory of Syntax (1965), laid the foundation for modern linguistic theory and significantly influenced cognitive psychology.
In addition to his contributions to linguistics, Chomsky is a prominent political activist and critic of U.S. foreign policy and corporate power. He gained notoriety during the Vietnam War for his outspoken opposition and has since published numerous books on politics and media criticism, including Manufacturing Consent (1988), co-authored with Edward S. Herman.
Chomsky’s work spans a wide range of topics, making him a key figure in both linguistics and political discourse. He continues to lecture and write extensively, advocating for social justice and intellectual freedom.
