language games

• the thinker for language games is Wittgenstein
• Wittgenstein rejected both verification + falsification; in his view religious claims are not like scientific ones
• language games refers to Wittgenstein's belief that language has a meaning within a particular social context, each context being governed by rules in the same way different games are governed by different rules

  • the meaning of a statement has nothing to do with verification or falsification, but with the context in which it occurs
  • each context has its own rules
• • words do not indicate an object but perform a function
  • language games are connected to forms of behaviour - speaking is an activity in which words gain their sense
  • language is something that is learned from others - the tone indicates their significance
  • the word 'God' is not an object - it is used within a religious context, which is what gives it meaning; only religious people can fully understand + appreciate the emotion surrounding religious statements
• Wittgenstein claimed religious language cannot be claimed to be true or false

  • its meaning is defined by the user within their religious language game
• strengths of Wittgenstein's language games:

  • it allows a range of meaning for language rather than trying to put it in one box
  • it allows for religious statements to be 'belief in'
• weaknesses of Wittgenstein's language games:

  • it is virtually impossible to enter into debate with those coming from another language game e.g. atheism
  • 'belief in' is important, but most religious believers think that religious claims are also cognitive
  • religious statements no longer have to be true or false - a group of people can construct a set of belief based on inhumane practices + these would form a valid language game