Meaning and Use (Later Wittgenstein) | Philosophy Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

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.