On the Question Whether Language Has a Social Nature: Some Aspects of Winch and Others on Wittgenstein

Gilbert, Margaret

Abstract

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On the Question Whether Language Has a Social Nature: Some Aspects of Winch and Others on Wittgenstein

Margaret P. Gilbert

University of California, Irvine

September 1983

Synthese, Vol. 56, pp. 301-318, 1983

Abstract:
Two claims common in wittgenstein exegesis are addressed, With special reference to a well-known discussion by Peter Winch. First: the claim that one person's language must be intelligible to another is ambiguous; one interpretation is intuitively plausible; strong, Less plausible versions are ascribed to Wittgenstein. Inattention to the ambiguity noted could facilitate their acceptance. Second: the claim that the necessity for standards of correctness in the use of language has as a direct consequence the need for social standards is false and probably misrepresents Wittgenstein.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 19

Keywords: Correctness, Intelligibility, Language, Nature, Wittgenstein

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Date posted: December 14, 2007 ; Last revised: July 14, 2011

Suggested Citation

Gilbert, Margaret P., On the Question Whether Language Has a Social Nature: Some Aspects of Winch and Others on Wittgenstein (September 1983). Synthese, Vol. 56, pp. 301-318, 1983. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1071199

Contact Information

Margaret P. Gilbert (Contact Author)

University of California, Irvine ( email )

Humanities Office Building
Irvine, CA 92697-4555
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile.cfm?faculty_id=5365