How did formalist and informalist approaches to analytic philosophy differ?

In analytic philosophy, the distinction between formalist and informalist traditions centers on the methodology used to address conceptual problems.1

The Formalist Tradition

Formalists, influenced by thinkers like Bertrand Russell, believe that philosophical problems can be clarified or resolved by applying the technical equipment of formal logic. They often view philosophy as a deductive, a priori enterprise comparable to mathematics and consider the physical sciences the primary means of gaining knowledge. By utilizing symbolic logic, formalists aim to uncover the underlying logical structures of statements, often correcting errors caused by mistaking surface grammatical form for logical form.12

The Informalist Tradition

Informalists, inspired by G.E. Moore, view philosophy as an autonomous activity. They generally reject the idea that logic or science should serve as the primary models for solving conceptual puzzles. Instead of employing technical tools, informalists emphasize the close examination of the questions themselves and the defense of commonsensical views against skeptical or metaphysical claims. Key approaches within this tradition include common-sense philosophy, ordinary-language philosophy, and speech-act theory.31