Thursday 11/01

Philosophical Investigations, 308-350

Discussion Questions

First Question: The Fly-Bottle

309 is just a question and an answer, yet it has that characteristically precise and provocative wittgensteinian cast: "What is your aim in philosophy?—To shew the fly the way out of the fly-bottle." What does he mean by this question? This answer?

Second Question: A Fundamental Misunderstanding

What is Wittgenstein driving at 314 he writes, "[i]t shews a fundamental misunderstanding, if I am inclined to study the headache I have now in order to get clear about the philosophical problem of sensation"?

Third Question: Thinking about Thinking

At 327 and following Wittgenstein asks and considers various answers to the question, "what is thinking?". What is thinking, does he think? What is thinking, do you think?

Fourth Question: Thinking Before Words

Wittgenstein takes William James to task for his use of the case of Mr. Ballard at 342. What is the case, what did James take it to show, and how does Wittgenstein respond?