Wittgenstein on Description
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Heather J. Gert, Associate Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: It is a commonplace in discussions of Wittgenstein's later writings to note that he insisted that philosophy involved descriptions, not explanations. Despite this little has been written about the descriptions he had in mind. A close reading of the texts shows that very often Wittgenstein was asking for descriptions of descriptions of everyday objects and phenomena. With this in mind, I consider what can be learned about pain from considering descriptions of descriptions of pain. I conclude by demonstrating how Wittgenstein's discussion of rule-following looks if we keep in mind that he is discussing and describing, descriptions.
Wittgenstein on Description
PDF (Portable Document Format)
137 KB
Created on 12/1/1997
Views: 3070
Additional Information
- Publication
- Philosophical Studies, vol. 88, issue 3, Dec. 1997, 221-243
- Language: English
- Date: 1997
- Keywords
- Wittgenstein, philosophy, language, explanation, Epistemology