JoLMA The Journal for the Philosophy of Language, Mind and the Arts

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Articolo | Discussions of a Private Language: Wittgenstein and Rhees

Discussions of a Private Language: Wittgenstein and Rhees

Abstract

Already one year after the publication of Philosophical Investigations, the discussion about a private language had gathered pace. Since then, the debate has moved in various directions: Discussions about Wittgenstein’s method of doing philosophy; about how to read him; about variations of ‘private’ language users; about private experiences, (private) ostensive definitions, behaviourism, the ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ etc. I have tried to cover those points, which I think crucial for the understanding of a ‘private’ language: the rule-fixing problem, the confusion of giving and using a sample, private charts, knowledge, memory, and justification. I have thereby made extensive use of remarks by Wittgenstein and Rush Rhees, particularly Wittgenstein’s manuscripts, the Whewell Court lectures 1938-41, and unpublished material by Rhees. The reason for this is that I could not have put it in any better words, and that for me these remarks speak for themselves. I wish that others will make a ‘similar’ experience.


Open access

Presentato: 11 Marzo 2024 | Pubblicato 09 Novembre 2024 | Lingua: en

Keywords MemoryThe rule-fixing problemRobinsonJustificationPrivate charts‘Subjective’ knowledgeWallpaper patternGiving and using a sample


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