A study on Ludwig Wittgenstein’s concept of language games and the private language argument

R A D Priyanka Weerasekara

doi:10.4038/suslj.v12i1.7025

Abstract

The intent of this paper is to examine at what Wittgenstein’s says about language as a use in the term of language games and the private language argument. The major argument of Wittgenstein on the language is the rules of the use of ordinary language is neither right nor wrong, neither true nor false, the language is merely useful for the particular applications in which they are applied . On Wittgenstein’s view, Language is defined not as a system of representation but as a system of devices for engaging in various sorts of social activity, hence ‘the meaning of the word is its use in the language’. Wittgenstein gave us considerable help in understanding what he means by ‘the meaning of the words is its use in the language’ in the term of Language Games and the Private Language Argument. There are various misunderstandings of Wittgenstein’s philosophical ideas by professionals and ordinary readers. They have stemmed largely from a failure to grasp, or come to terms with this aspect of his thought. Thus the major objective of this study is to examine comprehensively what Wittgenstein says about the concept of Language game and the private language argument. The study is based on empirical research methodology. Primary data will be collected by used empirical experiments. Secondary data will be collected by published documents. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/suslj.v12i1.7025 Sabaragamuwa University Journal 2013; V. 12 No. 1 pp 83-95

Highlights

On Wittgenstein’s view, Language is defined not as a system of representation but as a system of devices for engaging in various sorts of social activity, ‘the meaning of the word is its use in the language’
The major objective of this study is to examine comprehensively what Wittgenstein says about the concept of Language game and the private language argument
Austrain British philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein is generally considered to be one of the greatest philosophers in the 20th century. He played a central role in the 20th century analytic philosophical thought in topics as diverse as logic and language, perception and intention, ethic and religion, aesthetic and culture

Summary

Introduction

On Wittgenstein’s view, Language is defined not as a system of representation but as a system of devices for engaging in various sorts of social activity, ‘the meaning of the word is its use in the language’. There are various misunderstandings of Wittgenstein’s philosophical ideas by professionals and ordinary readers They have stemmed largely from a failure to grasp, or come to terms with this aspect of his thought. Austrain British philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein is generally considered to be one of the greatest philosophers in the 20th century He played a central role in the 20th century analytic philosophical thought in topics as diverse as logic and language, perception and intention, ethic and religion, aesthetic and culture. By his own philosophical work and thought his influence on several generations of other thinkers, Wittgenstein transformed the nature of philosophical activity in the English speaking world. His home attracted people of culture, especially musicians and music remained important to Wittgenstein

Objectives

Conclusion