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Introduction


Biographical Background of Ludwig Wittgenstein

  • Born in Vienna, Austria on April 26, 1889.
  • Came from an affluent and culturally influential family.
  • Initially studied engineering in Berlin and Manchester.
  • Developed an interest in the philosophy of mathematics and logic.
  • Studied under Bertrand Russell at the University of Cambridge.
  • Served in the Austrian army during World War I.
  • Published his seminal work, "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus," in 1921.
  • Briefly worked as a schoolteacher and architect before returning to philosophy.
  • Returned to Cambridge in 1929 to study under G.E. Moore.
  • Developed his later philosophical ideas during this time.
  • Published "Philosophical Investigations" posthumously in 1953.
  • Passed away on April 29, 1951, in Cambridge, England.

Transition from Early to Later Wittgenstein

  • Early Wittgenstein focused on the logical structure of language and the world.
  • "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus" presented a picture theory of meaning.
  • Language was viewed as a system of logical propositions mirroring reality.
  • Believed that language's limits were the limits of the world.
  • Influenced by the works of Gottlob Frege and Bertrand Russell.
  • Aimed to resolve philosophical problems through language clarification and logical structure analysis.
  • Later Wittgenstein shifted his focus to the practical use of language in everyday life.
  • Began questioning the assumptions of his earlier work.
  • Developed the idea of meaning as use, emphasizing context and social practices.
  • Introduced concepts like language-games, rule-following, and family resemblance.
  • Critiqued the notion of a private language.
  • Influenced by G.E. Moore, Frank Ramsey, and the Vienna Circle.
  • Aimed to dissolve philosophical problems by examining ordinary language use and its diverse functions.

Transition Factors

  • Change in philosophical method from logical analysis to a therapeutic and descriptive approach.
  • Shift in understanding of meaning from correspondence-based to use-based.
  • Rejection of the idea of a fixed, underlying language structure mirroring reality.
  • Emphasis on social practices and context in shaping language and meaning.
  • Transition from metaphysical concerns to a pragmatic and practical view of language and philosophy.

Meaning as Use


Shift from Picture Theory to Meaning as Use

  • Early Wittgenstein's picture theory of meaning:
    • Language represents the world through logical propositions.
    • Propositions mirror the structure of reality.
    • Meaning is determined by correspondence between language and the world.
  • Criticisms of picture theory:
    • Assumes fixed language and world structures.
    • Fails to explain everyday language use.
    • Overemphasizes logic in meaning determination.
  • Later Wittgenstein's meaning as use theory:
    • Meaning not tied to fixed correspondence.
    • Meaning determined by word use in context and social practices.
    • Language is a flexible tool with various purposes.
  • Transition factors:
    • Exposure to works of G.E. Moore, Frank Ramsey, and the Vienna Circle.
    • Dissatisfaction with picture theory's limitations.
    • Growing interest in practical language use.

Examples of Meaning as Use in Everyday Language

  • Example: The word "bank."
    • Can refer to a financial institution, a river's side, or a place to store things.
    • Meaning determined by context and social practices.
  • Example: The word "game."
    • Can refer to competitive or playful activities.
    • Meaning varies with context and usage.
  • Example: The phrase "I promise."
    • Meaning not tied to a specific fact but to social practices and context.

Implications of Meaning as Use

  • Language is not a fixed system of logical propositions.
  • Context and social practices shape meaning.
  • Convention and rule-following govern language.
  • Dissolution of philosophical problems through understanding ordinary language use.

Rule-following


The Concept of Rule-following in Wittgenstein’s Later Philosophy

  • Rule-following central to Wittgenstein’s later philosophy.
  • Rules as shared practices governing language and social activities.
  • Meaning determined by word use according to these rules.
  • Rule-following involves interpretation, judgment, and context responsiveness.
  • Emphasis on practical aspects of rule-following over abstract theory.

The Role of Community in Rule-following

  • Rule-following is inherently social and communal.
  • Rules established, maintained, and modified by a community.
  • Meaning grounded in community use, not individual experience.
  • Rejection of private language concept.

The Paradox of Rule-following and Its Implications

  • Paradox arises from how to follow a rule without infinite regress.
  • Wittgenstein emphasizes practical and communal rule-following.
  • Emphasizes importance of context, convention, and social interaction.
  • Challenges fixed language and meaning structures.
  • Dissolves philosophical problems related to meaning and understanding.

Family Resemblance


Introduction to the Concept of Family Resemblance

  • Family resemblance central to Wittgenstein’s later philosophy.
  • Concept derived from shared characteristics among family members.
  • Words and concepts related through overlapping similarities, not single defining traits.
  • Challenges traditional assumptions about meaning and definition.

Examples of Family Resemblance in Language and Concepts

  • Example: The concept of a "game."
    • No single defining feature, but shared characteristics.
    • Meaning determined by use within a network of resemblances.
  • Example: The concept of "art."
    • No single defining feature, but shared characteristics.
    • Meaning determined by use within a network of resemblances.
  • Example: The concept of "justice."
    • No single defining feature, but shared characteristics.
    • Meaning determined by use within a network of resemblances.

The Role of Family Resemblance in Understanding Meaning

  • Challenges traditional views of meaning and definition.
  • Emphasizes context, convention, and social interaction in shaping language.
  • Dissolves philosophical problems related to meaning and understanding.
  • Framework for exploring language, meaning, and cognition.

Wittgenstein’s Method


The Therapeutic Approach to Philosophy

  • Wittgenstein’s later philosophy characterized by therapeutic approach.
  • Aims to dissolve, not solve, philosophical problems.
  • Many problems arise from language misunderstandings.
  • Examines ordinary language use to clarify misunderstandings.
  • Not focused on providing definitive answers.

The Role of Examples and Thought Experiments

  • Wittgenstein uses examples and thought experiments extensively.
  • Concrete basis for understanding abstract philosophical issues.
  • Helps clarify misunderstandings by grounding them in practical language use.
  • Central to therapeutic approach.

The Importance of Ordinary Language

  • Emphasis on ordinary language in understanding meaning and addressing problems.
  • Many philosophical problems stem from ignoring diverse language use.
  • Focus on practical aspects aids in problem dissolution.
  • Challenges traditional views of language and meaning.

Philosophical Investigations


Overview of the Philosophical Investigations

  • Posthumously published work by Wittgenstein.
  • Composed of numbered paragraphs exploring language, meaning, and understanding.
  • Characterized by a therapeutic approach, emphasis on ordinary language, and use of examples.
  • A significant departure from the "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus."

Key Themes and Arguments in the Philosophical Investigations

  • Meaning as use.
  • Rule-following.
  • Family resemblance.
  • Critique of private language.
  • Therapeutic approach to philosophy.
  • Influence on later philosophy of language and mind.

Continued Influence and Legacy

  • Wittgenstein’s later philosophy has had a profound impact on various fields.
  • Philosophy of language, mind, and cognitive science.
  • Ordinary language philosophy.
  • Post-structuralism and deconstruction.
  • Remains a subject of ongoing interpretation and debate.

Conclusion


Wittgenstein’s Transition and Impact

  • Wittgenstein's transition from early to later philosophy marked a fundamental shift in his philosophical thinking.
  • Early Wittgenstein focused on logical analysis and a picture theory of meaning.
  • Later Wittgenstein emphasized meaning as use, rule-following, and family resemblance, with a therapeutic approach.
  • His work continues to influence and shape contemporary philosophy, particularly in the philosophy of language and mind.

Key Takeaways

  • Wittgenstein's early and later philosophies differ significantly in approach and ideas.
  • The shift from the "Tractatus" to the "Philosophical Investigations" involves a move from a picture theory of meaning to meaning as use.
  • Concepts like rule-following and family resemblance play central roles in Wittgenstein's later philosophy.
  • Wittgenstein's therapeutic approach aims to dissolve, not solve, philosophical problems.
  • His work challenges traditional views of language, meaning, and understanding, emphasizing the importance of ordinary language and context.
The document Meaning and Use (Later Wittgenstein) | Philosophy Optional Notes for UPSC is a part of the UPSC Course Philosophy Optional Notes for UPSC.
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