Wittgenstein

• Continental Philosophy

  This tradition can be seen as a continuation of classical philosophical debates, often focusing on themes such as metaphysics, existentialism, and phenomenology. Notable philosophers include Heidegger and Sartre. Continental philosophers tend to be skeptical of the possibility of objective knowledge through language, arguing that language is inherently subjective and context-dependent.
• Analytic Philosophy

  This tradition emphasizes clarity and logical rigor, often using the tools of formal logic and scientific methodology. Key figures include Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Analytic philosophers generally believe that objective knowledge can be reached through careful analysis of language and logical structures.
• Example Comparison: Continental View

  Objectivity cannot be reached through language because language shapes and limits our perception of reality.
• Example Comparison: Analytic View

  Objectivity can be approached through language by analyzing and clarifying the logical structure of statements.
• The Linguistic Turn (Rorty 1967): Definition

  This term refers to a major shift in 20th-century philosophy, emphasizing the central role of language in shaping our understanding of the world. It draws inspiration from Kant’s 'transcendental turn,' which focused on the conditions of possibility for experience.
• The Linguistic Turn (Rorty 1967): Significance

  The linguistic turn posits that examining the structure and function of language is crucial for understanding philosophical problems, as language profoundly influences how we perceive and describe reality.
• Wittgenstein I: Emphasis on Logical and Mathematical Language

  Wittgenstein sought to distinguish meaningful statements from mere chatter or nonsensical talk, emphasizing the need for precise and logical language. He focused on the relationship between language and the world, arguing that the meaning of a statement is its correspondence to facts.
• Wittgenstein I: Only Empirical Statements are Meaningful

  Wittgenstein held that only statements that can be empirically verified (those corresponding to observable facts) are meaningful.
• Senseless vs. Nonsense: Senseless

  Statements like tautologies and contradictions that, while logically structured, do not provide new information about the world.
• Senseless vs. Nonsense: Nonsense

  Statements that cannot be empirically verified and hence fall outside the realm of meaningful discourse.
• Philosophy as Clarification of Language

  Wittgenstein believed the goal of philosophy was to clarify the logical structure of language. He famously described philosophy as a ladder that must be thrown away once it has been used to reach a higher understanding, acknowledging that philosophical statements about language itself can ultimately be seen as nonsensical.
• The Mystical

  This includes art, literature, and music, which offer alternative ways to convey truths that cannot be captured by logical language. Wittgenstein appreciated the value of these mediums for expressing what lies beyond empirical facts.
• Factuality vs. Values/Meaning

  Wittgenstein distinguished between statements of fact (which can be empirically verified) and statements of value or meaning (which are subjective and not empirically verifiable).
• Wittgenstein II: Emphasis on Ordinary Language

  Wittgenstein introduced the concept of language games to illustrate that the meaning of words is determined by their use in specific contexts. Language is not a fixed system but a dynamic set of practices shaped by social interactions.
• Language Game (Sprachspiel)

  Wittgenstein introduced the concept of language games to illustrate that the meaning of words is determined by their use in specific contexts. Language is not a fixed system but a dynamic set of practices shaped by social interactions.
• Meaning is Use

  The meaning of a word is not an inherent property but is determined by how it is used in a given context.
• Language as a Toolbox

  Wittgenstein compared language to a toolbox, where words are tools with various functions, controlled by the user according to the situation.
• Forms of Life (Lebensform)


  Different communities and cultures have different forms of life, or shared ways of living, which shape how language is used and understood. The truth of a statement is thus context-dependent and tied to these forms of life.