On the Question Whether Language Has a Social Nature: Some Aspects of Winch and Others on Wittgenstein
Synthese, Vol. 56, pp. 301-318, 1983
19 Pages Posted: 14 Dec 2007 Last revised: 14 Jul 2011
Date Written: September 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.
Keywords: Correctness, Intelligibility, Language, Nature, Wittgenstein
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation