7.3 Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations
3 min read•august 16, 2024
Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations marked a radical shift from his earlier work. He abandoned the search for an ideal language, instead embracing the complexity of everyday speech. This change revolutionized how philosophers thought about language and .
Wittgenstein introduced key ideas like language-games and forms of life. These concepts highlighted how language use varies across contexts and cultures. His work challenged traditional views on meaning, mind, and knowledge, reshaping many areas of philosophy.
Wittgenstein's Early vs Later Philosophy
Transition from Tractatus to Philosophical Investigations
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- Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus focused on picture theory of meaning and language as logical calculus
- Philosophical Investigations departed radically from earlier views
- Rejected notion of ideal language
- Embraced complexity of ordinary language use
- Abandoned search for unified account of language and meaning
- Emphasized diverse functions of language in different contexts
- Introduced concept of "family resemblances"
- Challenged idea that all instances of a concept share common essence
- Shifted focus from formal logic to examination of everyday language use
- Explored role of language in human practices and forms of life
- Changed method of philosophical investigation
- Moved from systematic, axiomatic approach
- Adopted therapeutic style aimed at dissolving philosophical problems
Language-Games and Meaning
Concept and Implications of Language-Games
- Language-games represent diverse linguistic practices embedded in specific contexts (greetings, giving directions)
- Challenge idea of fixed relationship between words and meanings
- Emphasize role of use in determining meaning
- Analogy to games illustrates implicit, variable rules across contexts
- language involves mastering techniques and practices
- Not grasping abstract meanings or mental representations
- Connected to broader concept of "forms of life"
- Linguistic meaning inseparable from social and cultural contexts
- Critique essentialism in language
- Argue against fixed, universal meanings independent of use
Implications for Theories of Meaning
- Meaning as dynamic process tied to use and context
- Not a static entity
- Challenges truth-conditional semantics
- Promotes use-based accounts of meaning
- Influences discussions on and normativity
- Impacts ethics and philosophy of social sciences
Critique of Private Language
Private Language Argument
- Challenges possibility of language only understandable by single user
- Argues private language concept incoherent
- Language requires public criteria for correct use
- Cannot be based solely on private sensations or experiences
- Significant implications for theories of mind
- Challenges those positing inner mental states as basis of meaning
- Suggests meaning of psychological terms (pain) determined by public use
- Not by private, inner experiences
- Challenges Cartesian dualism
- Questions sharp distinction between inner mental states and outer behavior
Impact on Philosophy of Mind
- Implies understanding of mental states based on social language learning
- Not introspection of private experiences
- Influential in debates on nature of consciousness and self-knowledge
- Contributes to development of social externalism
- In philosophy of mind and language
- Impacts discussions on problem of other minds
Wittgenstein's Impact on Analytic Philosophy
Influence on Philosophical Approaches
- Significantly influenced "ordinary language philosophy" movement
- Emphasized analyzing everyday language use in philosophical investigations
- Method of dissolving philosophical problems through language analysis
- Influenced approaches to skepticism and rule-following
- Challenged foundationalist epistemologies
- Promoted contextualist approaches to knowledge and justification
- Impacted discussions on normativity across philosophy
- Including ethics and philosophy of social sciences
Contributions to Specific Philosophical Areas
- Philosophy of language: Challenged truth-conditional semantics
- Promoted use-based accounts of meaning
- Philosophy of mind: Influenced discussions on nature of mental states
- Impacted problem of other minds
- Epistemology: Promoted contextualist approaches to knowledge
- Challenged traditional foundationalist theories
- Ethics: Influenced discussions on rule-following and normativity
- Social sciences: Impacted approaches to understanding social phenomena
- Through emphasis on forms of life and language-games
Key Terms to Review (16)
Beetle in a box: The 'beetle in a box' is a thought experiment introduced by Ludwig Wittgenstein to illustrate the problems of private language and the limits of subjective experience in understanding meaning. The analogy suggests that if everyone had a beetle in their own box, no one could access or describe what was inside another person's box, leading to the conclusion that private sensations cannot form the basis for a shared language or understanding.
Family resemblance: Family resemblance is a concept introduced by Ludwig Wittgenstein to describe how members of a category may share overlapping features without having one specific characteristic that defines them all. This idea emphasizes that concepts are not bound by strict definitions but rather are connected by a network of similarities, much like how family members might share certain traits without looking identical.
Frege: Gottlob Frege was a German philosopher, logician, and mathematician known as the father of modern logic and analytic philosophy. His work focused on the philosophy of language, particularly the distinction between sense and reference, which is crucial for understanding meaning in linguistic expressions. Frege's ideas significantly influenced later thinkers, including Wittgenstein, especially in discussions about language and meaning.
Grammatical investigation: Grammatical investigation refers to the exploration and analysis of language rules, structures, and the meanings that arise from their usage. This approach emphasizes how our understanding of language is intertwined with the practical functions it serves in everyday life, aligning closely with the ideas presented in Wittgenstein's work. By examining how language operates within various contexts, grammatical investigation sheds light on the nature of meaning and how we communicate.
Language games: Language games refer to the various contexts and activities in which language is used, emphasizing that meaning arises from practical use rather than from fixed definitions. This concept highlights the fluid nature of language, where the rules and purposes of communication can shift based on social interactions and contexts, demonstrating that meaning is not inherent but constructed through shared practices.
Meaning: Meaning refers to the significance or interpretation of a word, phrase, or concept within a particular context. It plays a crucial role in how language is understood and used, emphasizing the importance of context and everyday language in conveying ideas and thoughts effectively.
Meaning as use: Meaning as use is the idea that the meaning of a word or expression is defined by how it is used in language and the context in which it appears. This perspective shifts focus from seeking a fixed definition to understanding the dynamic role of language in social interactions and practices.
Metaphysical nonsense: Metaphysical nonsense refers to statements or propositions that are deemed meaningless or nonsensical within philosophical discourse, particularly those that lack empirical verifiability. This concept is rooted in the idea that certain metaphysical claims do not provide clear, testable content and thus fail to convey meaningful information. Wittgenstein's later work emphasizes how language functions in everyday contexts, arguing that many metaphysical statements do not fit into our ordinary uses of language.
Ostensive definition: An ostensive definition is a way of defining a term or concept by directly pointing to examples or instances of what the term refers to, rather than using descriptive language. This method emphasizes the relationship between language and the world, showcasing how meanings can be conveyed through direct demonstration rather than explanation.
Philosophical clarity: Philosophical clarity refers to the precision and transparency in the articulation of concepts, arguments, and ideas within philosophical discourse. This clarity is essential for effective communication and understanding, allowing complex philosophical issues to be navigated without confusion or ambiguity. Achieving this clarity often involves careful analysis and rephrasing of ideas to illuminate their meanings.
Private language argument: The private language argument is a philosophical concept introduced by Ludwig Wittgenstein, asserting that a language that is inherently private, understood only by a single individual, is impossible. This argument challenges the notion that personal experiences can be expressed in a way that is entirely disconnected from public criteria of meaning, emphasizing that language requires a shared framework to be meaningful. Essentially, if one cannot publicly verify the use of terms, then those terms fail to constitute a language.
Rule-following: Rule-following refers to the practice of adhering to established guidelines or principles in order to achieve consistency and coherence in behavior, language, or thought. This concept is central to understanding how meaning is derived in language and how communal activities shape our grasp of rules, highlighting the interplay between individual interpretation and shared practices.
Russell: Bertrand Russell was a British philosopher, logician, and social critic known for his work in analytical philosophy and his influential ideas on language, logic, and mathematics. He significantly impacted the development of modern philosophy, particularly through his criticism of metaphysics and exploration of the philosophy of language, which resonates in Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations.
The game of chess: The game of chess is a strategic board game played between two opponents, where each player controls an army of 16 pieces with the objective to checkmate the opponent's king. This game is often used as a metaphor for complex interactions and decision-making in life, illustrating themes of strategy, competition, and the nature of rules and language.
Therapeutic method: The therapeutic method refers to a philosophical approach aimed at alleviating confusion and misunderstanding in language, thought, and practices. This method emphasizes clarifying concepts and the ways we use language to express our experiences, focusing on practical engagement with philosophical issues rather than traditional theoretical abstraction.
Understanding: Understanding refers to the mental process of comprehending or grasping the meaning of concepts, language, or experiences. In the context of language and meaning, it emphasizes how individuals interpret and make sense of their interactions with the world and each other, often influenced by the forms of life they are part of.