Tuesday 11/20

Philosophical Investigations, 611-693

First Question: The Philosophical Diet (from last time)

What kinds of examples can you give to help elucidate his claim at 593 that "[a] main cause of philosophical disease—a one-sided diet: one nourishes one's thinking with only one kind of example."

Second Question: When Words Fail Us (from last time)

Does the feeling that we sometimes lack the words to adequately express our ideas undermine Wittgenstein's insistence that meaning is use? Consider his take on it:

610. Describe the aroma of coffee.—Why can't it be done? Do we lack the words? And for what are words lacking?—But how do we get the idea that such a description must after ail be possible? Have you ever felt the lack of such a description? Have you tried to describe the aroma and not succeeded?

(I should like to say: "These notes say something glorious, but I do not know what." These notes are a powerful gesture, but I cannot put anything side by side with it that will serve as an explanation. A grave nod. James: "Our vocabulary is inadequate." Then why don't we introduce a new one? What would have to be the case for us to be able to?)

Third Question: The 'I' of the Agent

What point is Wittgenstein driving at when he famously asks at (621), "what is left over if I subtract the fact that my arm goes up from the fact that I raise my arm?"

Fourth Question: On Willing

How might Wittgenstein's discussion of willing (611-628) best be summarized?

Fifth Question: On Intending

How might Wittgenstein's discussion of intending (629-659) best be summarized?

Sixth Question: On Meaning

How might Wittgenstein's discussion of meaning (660-693) best be summarized, and how does he tie it back into the rule-following argument?