Ludwig Wittgenstein Flashcards
(26 cards)
What was Wittgenstein’s goal in the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus?
To determine the limits of thought and language, showing what can be meaningfully said and what must be passed over in silence. Wittgenstein believed that the structure of meaningful propositions mirrors the structure of reality.
Explain Wittgenstein’s picture theory of language in the Tractatus.
A proposition functions like a logical picture of reality. Words correspond to objects, and the structure of a proposition mirrors a possible state of affairs in the world.
What does Wittgenstein mean by “Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent”?
He draws a boundary between what can be logically stated and what lies beyond language—ethics, metaphysics, and the mystical. These are meaningful in life but not in logical analysis.
Why did Wittgenstein believe the Tractatus solved all philosophical problems?
He thought clarifying logical form and showing the limits of language would dissolve philosophical confusion. Later, he found this view inadequate.
What is the role of silence in Wittgenstein’s early work?
Silence marks the realm beyond sense—areas like ethics and religion that cannot be stated but are lived or shown.
Why did Wittgenstein abandon the picture theory of language?
He realized language is more diverse and context-dependent than logical representation suggests. This led to the later concept of language-games.
What is a language-game in Wittgenstein’s later philosophy?
A form of social activity in which language is used according to specific rules. Different activities (e.g., giving orders, praying) are governed by different linguistic norms.
What does Wittgenstein mean by “the meaning of a word is its use in the language”?
Meaning is not a reference to an object or a mental image, but arises from how a word functions within a specific linguistic and social context.
What is Wittgenstein’s concept of “family resemblance”?
Concepts like “game” don’t have one essence but share overlapping similarities. Language works through a network of partial resemblances, not rigid definitions.
What is the private language argument?
Wittgenstein argues that a language understandable only to a single person is incoherent because it lacks public criteria for correctness or meaningful use.
What is the rule-following problem in Philosophical Investigations?
Rules cannot determine their own application. Understanding a rule depends on communal practices, not private interpretation.
What does Wittgenstein mean by “forms of life”?
Forms of life are the broader social and cultural contexts in which language-games take place. They give language its meaning and grounding.
How does Wittgenstein’s view of grammar differ from traditional views?
: He redefines “grammar” as the rules that govern the meaningful use of words in practice—not syntax, but the structure of use in language-games.
What is Wittgenstein’s view on metaphysics?
He sees traditional metaphysics as a misuse of language—an attempt to talk beyond the bounds of sense.
What is philosophy’s task according to the later Wittgenstein?
Philosophy should clarify how language is used to dissolve confusion, not create new theories or systems.
What is meant by “philosophy as therapy”?
Philosophical problems are seen as mental knots caused by misuse of language. The philosopher’s job is to untangle these knots by showing how language actually works.
What does Wittgenstein say about religious language?
Religious language functions within its own language-game. It cannot be judged by the standards of science or empirical discourse.
How does Wittgenstein influence the philosophy of religion?
Thinkers like D.Z. Phillips argue that religious beliefs are not empirical claims but expressions of a form of life, insulated from factual critique.
What is a pseudo-problem in Wittgenstein’s philosophy?
A philosophical question that arises from misusing language, not from a genuine issue. These disappear when language is used properly.
What does Wittgenstein mean by language as a toolbox?
Language consists of many tools (words) with different functions—there is no single essence or purpose, only varied uses.
How did Wittgenstein influence ordinary language philosophy?
His work inspired philosophers to focus on everyday language usage rather than abstract speculation, especially J.L. Austin and Gilbert Ryle.
What is the distinction between showing and saying in the Tractatus?
Some things (e.g., logic, ethics) cannot be said directly but are shown through the structure of language and life.
How does Wittgenstein approach the concept of certainty?
In On Certainty, he argues that some beliefs function as bedrock assumptions—they are not known by evidence, but are presupposed in practice.
What is the role of community in Wittgenstein’s theory of meaning?
Meaning is grounded in public, shared practices—not in private mental acts. Without communal norms, language cannot function.
