Journal | JoLMA
Monographic journal issue | Special issue
Research Article | 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by Wittgenstein and Rush Rhees, particularly Wittgenstein’s manuscripts, the Whewell Court lectures 1938-41, and unpublished material by Rhees.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.
Submitted: March 11, 2024 | Published Nov. 9, 2024 | Language: en
Keywords Wallpaper pattern • Robinson • Private charts • Giving and using a sample • The rule-fixing problem • Justification • ‘Subjective’ knowledge • Memory
Copyright © 2024 Volker Munz. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/Jolma/2723-9640/2024/03/012
