The late J.L.Austin's influence on contemporary philosophy,which ranked with that ofWittgenstein,was substantial during his lifetime and has grown greatly since his death.He was descrbed as'one of the most acute and original mindsthat England has producde'.His 1955 William James Lectures,delivered at Harvard University,were first published in 1962.For thissecond edition the editors returned to Austin's lecture notes and their revisions make this a clearer and more faithful record ofAustin's work