Ludwig Wittgenstein (extra)

what did wittgenstein compare language to

a game which is governed by rules, which govern the meaning of language

when does wittgenstein argue language becomes meaningless (using the game analogy)

if i am playing a game with one set of rules, and you are playing by completely different rules, then the game is meaningless

what two kinds of grammar did wittgenstein identify

surface and depth

what is surface grammar

concerns syntactic form of an expression

what is depth grammar

corresponds to the way an expression is used, often occasion sensitive

what is the surface grammar meaning of “waiter can I get a cup of coffee please”

is it possible for me to physically get a cup of coffee

what is the depth grammar meaning of “waiter can I get a cup of coffee please”

waiter, please get me a coffee

religious language is its own

form of life

on the surface, what does religious language appear to do

make empirical claims

what could the depth grammar of religious language now be interpreted as

something like a passionate commitment to a surface of reference

outline wittgensteins stance with regards to cognitivism

non-cognitivist who believes that religious language is meaningful depending on who you are, but the words themselves aren’t meaningful