Jessa Maureen M.

Carolino

Assignment 3 1. Wittgenstein defined meaning as a words use in its language. He stated that the meaning

of a word or name is sometimes explained by pointing to its bearer. Most importantly, the meaning of a word is completely dependent on the language being used. He believed that it is significant for people who engage in conversations to know what kind of language game they are playing, because if not, it may lead to misunderstandings, controversies and confusions. Words possess different meanings in every language game present, and there are a lot of them. A cardinal rule in Philosophy strengthens this notion by Wittgenstein, which states that a person must never take part in any discussion or verbal dispute in any subject matter with anyone unless that person is sure that both parties are using the same word in the same way. Another important teaching from Wittgenstein is his belief that similarities and family resemblance make up a group. He believed that not all general terms need to have an essential property or something in common to be considered a member of a particular group. He gave games as an example. He explained that not all games have something in common. Ball games and board games are two very different games and have different rules and ways to play. Yet, the two belong to one particular group and are considered games. Wittgenstein made a point of saying that similarities or family resemblances are all we need to be able to figure out whether a general term belongs to a particular group.

2.

According to Wittgenstein, an ideal language is a language without any hint of

vagueness; a language people can use and understand with no controversy. Vagueness of a word

is measured by how loosely it is used in a sentence, and when sentences become unclear and there is total misunderstanding. This is what Wittgenstein is aiming to remove this is the ideal language he wants to propose. But, he explains that the idea must be found in reality yet we do not as yet see how it occurs there, nor do we understand the nature of this must. Obviously, Wittgenstein is against ideal language. The ideal language brought much confliction and requirement that it got too complicated. He explains that the conflict becomes intolerable; the requirement is in danger of becoming empty. The ideal language mirrored so much perfection that it caused problems for reality to fit in. Thus, it was a failure.

3.

The quote states that the use of language is independent of Philosophy. Philosophy aims

for lesser misunderstanding, thus it follows a descriptive discipline. According to Wittgenstein, its goal is to "eliminate misunderstandings by making our expressions more exact, and it wants to clear the intention of a sentence. The scope of its goal is limited, and what is accepted and what should be used or not in a language is not included in it, like the quote states, ...it leaves everything as it is.

References: Acua, A. E. (2006). Philosophical Analysis Seventh Edition. Quezon City, Philippines: University of the Philippines Diliman. Wittgenstein, L. Philosophical Investigations: A Basic Introduction. Wittgenstein Overview. Retrieved July 16, 2013, from http://www3.dbu.edu/mitchell/wittgensteinoverview.htm.