wittgenstein

early wittgenstein

• words give pictures in people’s minds

• communication goes wrong when we have different pictures to others 

• should only use cognitive language

  • no religious language: it is metaphysical / out of this world

early wittgenstein quote

“whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent”

BUT limits human expression

late wittgenstein language game analogies used

• train engine room analogy

• toolbox analogy

train engine room analogy

• language = train engine room

• handles look the same, but have different functions

• words may look the same, but have different functions

toolbox analogy

• diverse range of tools for different functions

• different language games = different functions 

  • theology, science, etc. = different language games 

counters

• atheism and theism are competing practices

  • can’t be true at the same time

• CS LEWIS - need a realist view of some aspects of Bible like Jesus’ resurrection

• makes religion seem subjective and individualistic, when believers think God exists objectively

  • devalue religion

• devalues ‘meaningfulness’

• opens dangerous language games (racism)

• raises questions

  • if those outside language games should not critique language used as they don’t get the rules, can atheists who were religious in the past not understand the meaningfulness of religious language?

support

• defends from challegnes of verificationa nd falsification

• reflects reality (everyone interprets rules differentyl)

• reopens up human experience (unlike his early ideas)

• AQUINAS - importance of educating children 

  • perhaps because children have to learn religious language?

• reflects experiences 

  • different social settings = different rules (e.g. job interview vs football game)

  • we misunderstand concepts due to different cultural / religious beliefs