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    "Don't for heaven's sake, be afraid of talking nonsense! But you must pay attention to your nonsense."

    Ludwig Wittgenstein

    Wittgensteinism is a philosophy created by Ludwig Wittgenstein. His work spanned from logic and metaphysics to ethics and religion, and he challenged many of the assumptions and methods of traditional philosophy.

    History[edit | edit source]

    Ludwig Wittgenstein was one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, but his life was also full of drama, mystery, and contradiction. He was born into a wealthy and cultured family in Vienna, Austria, in 1889, but he renounced his inheritance and lived in poverty for most of his life. He studied engineering, mathematics, and logic, but he also had a passion for music, art, and architecture. He served as a soldier in World War I, where he wrote his first masterpiece, the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, but he later rejected its main ideas and turned to a different style of philosophy. He taught at Cambridge University, where he influenced many students and colleagues, but he also spent long periods of time away from academic life, working as a gardener, a teacher, or a recluse. He struggled with his sexuality, his religion, and his moral ideals, and he died of cancer in 1951, leaving behind a legacy of original and profound thought.

    Linguistic Turn[edit | edit source]

    Wittgenstein's Linguistic Turn refers to a significant shift in the focus of Ludwig Wittgenstein's philosophical thinking, particularly between his early and later works. In his early work, presented in the "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus," Wittgenstein aimed to develop a logical language that could represent the structure of reality. He believed that this language would clarify philosophical problems and make them solvable.

    However, in his later work, especially in "Philosophical Investigations," Wittgenstein shifted his attention to the analysis of ordinary language and the way it is used in various social practices. He argued that the meaning of words is closely tied to their use in specific contexts rather than any fixed, underlying logical structure. This linguistic turn marked a departure from his earlier logical positivist approach, emphasizing the importance of language in understanding philosophical problems and dissolving traditional philosophical puzzles through the analysis of language games and ordinary language use.

    Beliefs[edit | edit source]

    Wittgensteinism is a philosophy which explores the nature and limits of language, logic, and thought. Ludwig Wittgenstein is widely regarded as one of the most original and influential thinkers of the 20th century, but his views on ethics and religion are less well-known and more controversial.

    Elementary Propositions[edit | edit source]

    Elementary propositions are basic, atomic statements that depict simple states of affairs in the world. They serve as the foundation of language, according to his later philosophy outlined in "Philosophical Investigations." The meaning of a proposition lies in its method of verification or falsification, and Wittgenstein emphasized understanding language use in specific contexts. This concept evolved from his earlier work in the "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus."

    Family Resemblance[edit | edit source]

    Family resemblance suggests that concepts are connected through a network of overlapping similarities, rather than a fixed set of defining features. It challenges traditional views of language and meaning, emphasizing the dynamic and contextual nature of how words acquire significance.

    Ideal Language Analysis[edit | edit source]

    Wittgenstein's ideal language analysis, found in his later work, suggests that many philosophical problems stem from language misuse. He proposes an ideal language that is clear, transparent, and free from ambiguity. By clarifying language and understanding its various contextual uses (language games), Wittgenstein aims to dissolve philosophical problems rather than solve them conventionally.

    Language Games[edit | edit source]

    The concept of "language games" refers to the diverse, context-dependent activities in which language is used. Rather than having fixed meanings, words gain significance through their roles in specific social practices. Wittgenstein emphasized that understanding language requires examining its practical, contextual applications rather than searching for universal essences.

    Logical Necessity[edit | edit source]

    Wittgenstein's later work, particularly in "Philosophical Investigations," suggests that logical necessity is not grounded in a separate metaphysical realm. Instead, he emphasizes the contextual and rule-governed nature of language. According to him, the apparent necessity of logical truths arises from the rules and conventions of language, and logical necessity is a product of our linguistic practices within different forms of life.

    Nonsense[edit | edit source]

    Wittgenstein's idea of "nonsense", as discussed in his later work, emphasizes that many philosophical problems result from misunderstandings or misuse of language. He argued for a shift from formal logic to a focus on ordinary language and its practical use, aiming to clarify the distinction between meaningful language (sense) and language lacking clear meaning or reference (nonsense). In essence, he highlighted the importance of understanding how language is used in everyday contexts to resolve philosophical issues.

    Ordinary Language Philosophy[edit | edit source]

    Wittgenstein's Ordinary Language Philosophy emphasizes the importance of everyday language in understanding philosophy. It introduces aforementioned concepts like "language games" and "family resemblance" to argue that meaning is context-dependent and that many philosophical problems arise from linguistic confusion. Wittgenstein encourages analyzing language use in specific situations and rejects the pursuit of deep metaphysical truths, advocating for a focus on concrete, contextual understanding.

    Picture Lheory of Language[edit | edit source]

    Wittgenstein's Picture Theory of Language, outlined in his "Tractatus," posits that language is like a picture of the world. According to this view, meaningful propositions are akin to accurate representations of states of affairs. The theory emphasizes an isomorphic relationship between language and reality, with elementary propositions serving as the basic building blocks that combine to form more complex statements. Wittgenstein later moved away from this theory in his later work, adopting a more pragmatic and context-dependent perspective in "Philosophical Investigations."

    Private Language Argument[edit | edit source]

    Wittgenstein's Private Language Argument, found in his "Philosophical Investigations," challenges the idea of a language known only to a single individual. He argues that language relies on shared, communal practices for meaning and that a truly private language would be incoherent because it lacks external standards for consistency and reference. In essence, language is inherently social and cannot exist purely in isolation.

    Rule-Following[edit | edit source]

    Rule-following is the idea that the meaning of words is based on their use in social practices, rather than predetermined definitions. He argues that understanding a rule involves participating in a "language game," a social activity where rules are followed. The rule-following paradox questions how rules can be consistently applied, highlighting the inherent indeterminacy in language. Overall, Wittgenstein challenges traditional views of language and meaning by emphasizing the contextual and social aspects of linguistic understanding.

    States of Affairs[edit | edit source]

    Wittgenstein's "states of affairs" are basic elements of reality, representing combinations of objects, properties, activities, or relations. In his later philosophy, he emphasized the connection between language and these states of affairs, arguing that meaning is derived from language use within specific contexts or language games.

    Truth Functions[edit | edit source]

    Truth functions, outlined in the "Tractatus," propose that the truth or falsity of complex propositions depends on the truth or falsity of their basic components and logical operations (conjunction, disjunction, negation, implication, and equivalence). These functions help analyze how truth values combine in compound statements, contributing to the understanding of language and its connection to reality in analytic philosophy.

    "Meaning as Use"[edit | edit source]

    Wittgenstein's "meaning as use" concept asserts that the meaning of a word is determined by its practical application in specific contexts or language games, rather than relying on a fixed definition. It emphasizes the dynamic and contextual nature of linguistic meaning.

    Wittgenstein's Ladder[edit | edit source]

    "Wittgenstein's ladder" is a metaphor used by Ludwig Wittgenstein in philosophy. It suggests that certain concepts or problems serve as a ladder to a new understanding. Once you reach that understanding, you can discard the ladder, indicating that philosophical problems may not always require definitive solutions but can lead to a better way of thinking.

    Wittgensteinian Fideism[edit | edit source]

    Wittgensteinian fideism is a philosophical stance in Wittgenstein's later work, particularly "On Certainty." It involves a view that emphasizes faith and religious practices without relying on traditional justifications. This position suggests that religious beliefs can be considered foundational certainties, rooted in language games and forms of life rather than traditional philosophical arguments.

    Aspect Blindness[edit | edit source]

    Aspect blindness is the idea that language and meaning are influenced by different perspectives or aspects. People can be blind to certain viewpoints, leading to misunderstandings. Wittgenstein urges a flexible approach, emphasizing the importance of recognizing diverse perspectives to avoid linguistic confusion and philosophical issues.

    How to Draw[edit | edit source]

    Flag of Wittgensteinism
    Color Name HEX RGB
    Light Blue #037EFC 3, 126, 252
    Navy #012A54 1, 42, 84
    White #FFFFFF 255, 255, 255
    Brown #8C5409 140, 84, 9


    Relationships[edit | edit source]

    Friends[edit | edit source]

    • Bertrand Russell Thought - You saved my life. If it weren't for you, I might have pursued aeronautics and engineering instead of philosophy. Although we drifted apart in my later years, and I haven't forgotten about it. Nevertheless, I still respect you.
    • Spinozism - I named my work after yours.
    • Augustinianism, Dostoyevskianism, Kierkegaardianism, & Tolstoyism - Great thinkers of the Christian faith!
    • Nietzscheanism - “Am very troubled by his animosity towards Christianity. For his writings also contain an element of truth”
    • Agnostic Theism - "I am not a religious man, but I cannot help seeing every problem from a religious point of view."
    • Pragmatism - I followed your way of thinking in my later years.

    Frenemies[edit | edit source]

    • Aristotelianism - I haven't read or studied your works, but based on what I know from my student Anscombe, you seem pretty solid.
    • Logical Positivism - I influenced the Vienna Circle, but ultimately, I repudiated my earlier work. I have come to the conclusion that language does not function as I once believed in the Tractatus.

    Enemies[edit | edit source]

    • Foundationalism - The idea that knowledge must be built upon certain and indubitable foundations ignores the complexity of language and how our understanding evolves through the diverse ways we use it.
    • Metaphysical Realism - I find myself at odds with those who insist on a single, fixed reality beyond the grasp of language.
    • Socratism - "Reading the Socratic dialogues one has the feeling: what a frightful waste of time! What's the point of these arguments that prove nothing and clarify nothing?"

    Further Information[edit | edit source]

    Wikipedia[edit | edit source]

    Literature[edit | edit source]

    Navigation[edit | edit source]


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