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Series:   Elements in the Philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein

Wittgenstein on Sense and Grammar

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 May 2022

Silver Bronzo
Silver Bronzo
Affiliation:
National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow

Summary

The distinction between sense and nonsense is central to Wittgenstein's philosophy. It is at the basis of his conception of philosophy as a struggle against illusions of sense generated by misunderstandings of the logic of our language. Moreover, it informs the notions of “grammar” (in the later work) and “logical syntax” (in the early work), whose investigation serves to clear up those misunderstandings. This Element contrasts two exegetical approaches: one grounding charges of nonsensicality in a theory of sense specifying criteria that are external to the linguistic performance under indictment; and one rejecting any such theory. The former pursues the idea of a nonsensicality test; the latter holds that illusions of sense can only be overcome from within, through the very capacity of which they constitute defective exercises. The Element connects the two approaches to opposite understandings of Wittgenstein's conception of language, and defends a version of the second approach.
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Keywords

nonsenselogical syntaxgrammarphilosophyclarification
Type
Element
Information
Series: Elements in the Philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein
Online ISBN: 9781108973359
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 23 June 2022

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Wittgenstein on Sense and Grammar
  • Silver Bronzo, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow
  • Online ISBN: 9781108973359
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Wittgenstein on Sense and Grammar
  • Silver Bronzo, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow
  • Online ISBN: 9781108973359
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Wittgenstein on Sense and Grammar
  • Silver Bronzo, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow
  • Online ISBN: 9781108973359
Available formats
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