Metaphilosophy, Once Again
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Brian Mcguinness Ist Am 23
In Honor of Brian McGuinness Josef Mitterer My relation to Brian McGuinness is the respectful relation of a younger colleague and -- many years back -- the relation of an admiring student who met him in Graz where he became an honorary professor in 1988. The achievements of Brian McGuinness have been praised so often and by so many that it is not easy to say something new, to find new praise which has not been offered already by someone else. The basic data: Brian was born 90 years and 4 days ago -- he studied at Oxford university and spent 35 years a Tutor, as a Fellow and a University Lecturer at Queens College. From 1989 to 2002 he was a Professor of History of Scientific Thought at the University of Siena. From the list of universities where he taught as a guest professor: Stanford, Princeton, Bejing, Rome, Leiden, Graz ... Brian McGuinness has authored and edited more than 30 books. They include a new translation of the Tractatus, the edition and translation of the Prototractatus -- both together with David Pears – and together with Joachim Schulte he published the definitive edition of the Tractatus, one of the most influential philosophical books of the 20th century. It is safe to say that nobody in Academia has done as much for the recognition of Wittgenstein in particular and of Austrian Philosophy in general as Brian McGuinness in the course of 60 years of writing and lecturing. The academic world is inhabited by a variety of species. A very rare one is that of the geniuses who publish very little in their lifetime but fill notebooks, journals and "Zettel" with ideas – (nowadays more likely hard discs or memory sticks) 1 which are then left to hardworking academics who clear up the mess and edit collected works which establish the lasting fame and influence of those thinkers. -
Hacker's Complaint
VOL. NO. JULY CONTENTS ARTICLES Intentionalism and the Imaginability of the Inverted Spectrum Eric Marcus Metaphysical Arguments against Ordinary Objects Amie L. Thomasson Kant’s Transcendental Strategy John J. Callanan True Emotions Mikko Salmela Wittgenstein and Strong Mathematical Verificationism Cyrus Panjvani DISCUSSIONS Hacker’s Complaint Scott Soames Are There Non-Existent Intentionalia? Alberto Voltolini CRITICAL STUDY The Sort of Creature You Are Anselm W. Müller BOOK REVIEWS BLACKWELL PUBLISHING FOR THE SCOTS PHILOSOPHICAL CLUB AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS The Philosophical Quarterly, Vol. , No. July ISSN – DISCUSSIONS HACKER’S COMPLAINT B S S My goal in writing ‘Philosophical Analysis in the Twentieth Century’ was to identify and explain the most important achievements of analytic philosophy which every student of the subject should be aware of, as well as those of its failures from which we have the most to learn. I attempted to do this by constructing a history that was itself a piece of analytic philosophy in its emphasis on analysis, reconstruction and criticism of arguments. In rebutting Hacker’s critique of it, I explain how my goal shaped my selection of topics, with special reference to the ordinary language period. I correct his misrepresentations of my treatment of the philosophers of this period, I demonstrate his failure to grasp, or understand the significance of, the Kripkean necessary a posteriori, and I reveal the misconceptions in his criticism of my interpretation of the ‘Tractatus’. I I am grateful to the Editors for inviting me to reply to P.M.S. Hacker’s review in this journal of my Philosophical Analysis in the Twentieth Century.1 I begin with his complaint about the materials I chose to discuss: In its selection of materials it is unrepresentative: significant figures are omitted and pivotal works are not discussed .. -
THE PROPOSITION-AS-RULES IDEA* Christoffer Gefwert Academy of Finland, Helsinki
SLAGP1TB3303 March 1984 WE) THE PROPOSITION-AS-RULES IDEA* Christoffer Gefwert Academy of Finland, Helsinki and Stanford Linear Accelerator Center Stanford University, Stanford, Caltfornia [email protected] Submitted to Synthese * Work supported in part by the Department of Energy, contract DEAC03- 76SF00515 and by the Academy of Finland. ..a single insight at the start is worth more than ever so many in the middle. Ludwig Wittgemtein . 0. INTRODUCTION: BROUWER AND WITTGENSTEIN. On 10th of March 1928, L.E.J.Brouwer, the main proponent of the intu- itionist philosophy of mathematics, came to Vienna to deliver a lecture entitled Mathematics, Science and Language.l Wittgenstein was present, together with Herbert Feigl and Friedrich Waismann, among the public attending Brouwer’s lecture.:! According to Feigl, perhaps this was the turning point, because after- wards, in a cafe, Wittgenstein suddenly began talking philosophy.3 It seems, in retrospect, that Brouwer’s lecture made a lasting impression on Wittgenstein. That he seems to have been influenced by Brouwer, is documented in a letter from Bertrand Russell to G.E.Moore in 1930, where we read: “He (Wittgenstein) uses the words ‘space’ and ‘grammar’ in peculiar senses, which are more or less connected with each other. He holds that if it is significant to say ‘This is red’ it-cannot be significant to say ‘This is loud’. There is one ‘space’ of colours and another ‘space’ of sounds. These ‘spaces’ are apparently given a priori in the Kantian sense, or at least not perhaps exactly that, but something not so very different. Mistakes in grammar result from confusing ‘spaces’. -
Guide to Proper Names and References in Gödel's “Protokolle
Guide to proper names and references in Gödel’s “Protokolle” notebook People Abel Othenio Abel (1875-1946) professor of paleontology and paleobiology at the University of Vienna. Founder of the group of professors known as the “Bärenhöhle” that blocked the appointment and promotion of Jews Adele Adele Nimbursky, née Porkert (1899–1981), Gödel’s girlfriend, separated from her first husband; she and Gödel would marry in September 1938 Bachmann Friedrich Bachmann (1909–1982), mathematician, doctoral student of Scholz’s at Münster, where he received his Ph.D. in 1933; from 1935 at University of Marburg, as assistant then Privatdozent Behmann Heinrich Behmann (1891–1970), German mathematician; his reply to Perelman’s criticism of Gödel’s result had appeared in the journal Mind in April 1937. He was dismissed from his position at the University of Halle after the war for his Nazi Party activities Beer Gustav Beer, member of the Vienna Circle and Menger’s Mathematical Colloquium Benjamin Abram Cornelius Benjamin (1897–1968), American philosopher of science on the University of Chicago faculty 1932 to 1945 Bernays Paul Bernays (1888–1977), Swiss mathematician and logician; close collaborator with David Hilbert on the foundations of mathematics and the axiomatization of set theory Brentano Franz Brentano (1838-1917), resigned as priest, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Vienna, founder of Gestalt Brunsvick Egon Brunswik (1903–1955), Hungarian-born psychologist, assistant to Karl Bühler in Vienna, active member of Otto Neurath’s “Unity of Science” movement Bühler Karl Bühler (1879–1963), professor of psychology at the University of Vienna. He led an effort to reorganize Vienna’s city schools by incorporating scientific findings from child psychology. -
Naturalized Metaphilosophy
Synthese DOI 10.1007/s11229-009-9662-1 Naturalized metaphilosophy David R. Morrow · Chris Alen Sula Received: 6 January 2008 / Accepted: 30 November 2008 © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009 Abstract Traditional representations of philosophy have tended to prize the role of reason in the discipline. These accounts focus exclusively on ideas and arguments as animating forces in the field. But anecdotal evidence and more rigorous sociological studies suggest there is more going on in philosophy. In this article, we present two hypotheses about social factors in the field: that social factors influence the develop- ment of philosophy, and that status and reputation—and thus social influence—will tend to be awarded to philosophers who offer rationally compelling arguments for their views. In order to test these hypotheses, we need a more comprehensive grasp on the field than traditional representations afford. In particular, we need more substantial data about various social connections between philosophers. This investigation belongs to a naturalized metaphilosophy, an empirical study of the discipline itself, and it offers prospects for a fuller and more reliable understanding of philosophy. Keywords Philosophy · Sociology · Networks · Reason · Naturalism In addressing questions of how to represent philosophy, we should begin—in good philosophical fashion—by first asking what philosophy is. Historical answers have often prized the role of reason in addressing questions of existence, knowledge, and value. Thus, Plato recommends contemplation of the forms, Descartes’ meditator at- tempts to deduce self-evident truths from first principles, Spinoza discusses an activity carried out sub specie aeternitatis by a rational thinker who has removed all traces of subjectivity and individuality from his thought, and Kant describes philosophy as D. -
Dialogical Grammar: Varieties of Dialogue in Wittgenstein's
ISSN: 2325-3290 (online) Dialogical Grammar: Varieties of Dialogue in Wittgenstein’s Methodology Dorit Lemberger Bar-Ilan university Abstract The dialogical character of Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations has received scant attention in the literature, given the work’s status in his total oeuvre, and is dismissed as a marginal as compared to the other differences between the Tractatus and the Investigations. The main lines of interpretation that have been proposed see dialogue as a rhetorical technique intended to present erroneous positions and then refute them, as an exemplification of what can be expressed in language (McGinn 1997; Rhees 1998), or as a reflection of Wittgenstein’s informal teaching method (Malcolm 2001; Savickey et al. 1990). The present article adopts the perspective that Wittgenstein’s use of dialogue makes it possible to track the various modes of language-acts, consonant with his directions to examine the daily use of language (Wittgenstein 2009, §116 and esp. §132), “when language is, as it were, idling.” In his later inquiries, Wittgenstein frequently considers the nature of mental states, accompanied by an attempt to characterize the differences between them while at the same time dealing with the cases in which it is difficult to distinguish them. In this process he made a variety of uses of dialogue, each of which embodies a different aspect of language action. Subsequently I will demonstrate that these different uses are not haphazard. A scrutiny of the nature of the dialogue can help us understand the nature of the activity carried out of the state of consciousness. Finally, I propose a distinction among three main types of dialogue: technical, conversational, and reflexive. -
Stellar 08 Cover Page
Stellar Undergraduate Research Journal Oklahoma City University Volume 2, 2008 Stellar Oklahoma City University’s Undergraduate Research Journal Inside are 2007-08 research papers spanning the disciplines at OCU, including criminology, English, economics, music, philosophy, political science, and psychology, representing the exceptional undergraduate research happening at Oklahoma City University. Editor-in-Chief: Gina Jennings Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Terry Phelps Stellar is published annually by Oklahoma City University. Opinions and beliefs herein do not necessarily reflect those of the university. Submissions are accepted from undergraduate students. Address all correspondence to: Stellar c/o The Learning Enhancement Center, 2501 N. Blackwelder Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73106. All submissions are subject to editing. 2 Contents Because I Do Not Hope to Turn Again:T.S. Eliot as the First Confessional Poet Kristin May……………………………………………………………3 Who Goes First Does Matter Unless No One Goes First: Personal Dyadic Space and Order Amy D. Simpson and Stacie Abla………….………………………...11 The Relationship Between Black Farmers and the United States Department of Agriculture Zachary L. Newland…..........................................................................19 Don’t Be Afraid of the Ball! Wittgenstein on Knowledge of Other Minds Jacob Coleman......................................................................................28 The Effects of Culture, Gender, and Recipient of Money on Moral Comfort Dashala Cubit, Lacey Novinska, and Danny Gering…………………39 -
Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus</Em>
University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 8-6-2008 Three Wittgensteins: Interpreting the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus Thomas J. Brommage Jr. University of South Florida Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the American Studies Commons Scholar Commons Citation Brommage, Thomas J. Jr., "Three Wittgensteins: Interpreting the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus" (2008). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/149 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Three Wittgensteins: Interpreting the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by Thomas J. Brommage, Jr. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Philosophy College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida Co-Major Professor: Kwasi Wiredu, B.Phil. Co-Major Professor: Stephen P. Turner, Ph.D. Charles B. Guignon, Ph.D. Richard N. Manning, J. D., Ph.D. Joanne B. Waugh, Ph.D. Date of Approval: August 6, 2008 Keywords: Wittgenstein, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, logical empiricism, resolute reading, metaphysics © Copyright 2008 , Thomas J. Brommage, Jr. Acknowledgments There are many people whom have helped me along the way. My most prominent debts include Ray Langely, Billy Joe Lucas, and Mary T. Clark, who trained me in philosophy at Manhattanville College; and also to Joanne Waugh, Stephen Turner, Kwasi Wiredu and Cahrles Guignon, all of whom have nurtured my love for the philosophy of language. -
Wittgenstein on Freedom of the Will: Not Determinism, Yet Not Indeterminism
Wittgenstein on Freedom of the Will: Not Determinism, Yet Not Indeterminism Thomas Nadelhoffer This is a prepublication draft. This version is being revised for resubmission to a journal. Abstract Since the publication of Wittgenstein’s Lectures on Freedom of the Will, his remarks about free will and determinism have received very little attention. Insofar as these lectures give us an opportunity to see him at work on a traditional—and seemingly intractable—philosophical problem and given the voluminous secondary literature written about nearly every other facet of Wittgenstein’s life and philosophy, this neglect is both surprising and unfortunate. Perhaps these lectures have not attracted much attention because they are available to us only in the form of a single student’s notes (Yorick Smythies). Or perhaps it is because, as one Wittgenstein scholar put it, the lectures represent only “cursory reflections” that “are themselves uncompelling." (Glock 1996: 390) Either way, my goal is to show that Wittgenstein’s views about freedom of the will merit closer attention. All of these arguments might look as if I wanted to argue for the freedom of the will or against it. But I don't want to. --Ludwig Wittgenstein, Lectures on Freedom of the Will Since the publication of Wittgenstein’s Lectures on Freedom of the Will,1 his remarks from these lectures about free will and determinism have received very little attention.2 Insofar as these lectures give us an opportunity to see him at work on a traditional—and seemingly intractable— philosophical problem and given the voluminous secondary literature written about nearly every 1 Wittgenstein’s “Lectures on Freedom of the Will” will be abbreviated as LFW 1993 in this paper (see bibliography) since I am using the version reprinted in Philosophical Occasions (1993). -
Ludwig.Wittgenstein.-.Philosophical.Investigations.Pdf
PHILOSOPHICAL INVESTIGATIONS By LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN Translated by G. E. M. ANSCOMBE BASIL BLACKWELL TRANSLATOR'S NOTE Copyright © Basil Blackwell Ltd 1958 MY acknowledgments are due to the following, who either checked First published 1953 Second edition 1958 the translation or allowed me to consult them about German and Reprint of English text alone 1963 Austrian usage or read the translation through and helped me to Third edition of English and German text with index 1967 improve the English: Mr. R. Rhees, Professor G. H. von Wright, Reprint of English text with index 1968, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, Mr. P. Geach, Mr. G. Kreisel, Miss L. Labowsky, Mr. D. Paul, Miss I. 1981, 1986 Murdoch. Basil Blackwell Ltd 108 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1JF, UK All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of short passages for the purposes of criticism and review, no part of this publication may be NOTE TO SECOND EDITION reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or THE text has been revised for the new edition. A large number of otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. small changes have been made in the English text. The following passages have been significantly altered: Except in the United States of America, this book is sold to the In Part I: §§ 108, 109, 116, 189, 193, 251, 284, 352, 360, 393,418, condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re- 426, 442, 456, 493, 520, 556, 582, 591, 644, 690, 692. -
Empiricism, Stances, and the Problem of Voluntarism
Swarthmore College Works Philosophy Faculty Works Philosophy 1-1-2011 Empiricism, Stances, And The Problem Of Voluntarism Peter Baumann Swarthmore College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-philosophy Part of the Philosophy Commons Let us know how access to these works benefits ouy Recommended Citation Peter Baumann. (2011). "Empiricism, Stances, And The Problem Of Voluntarism". Synthese. Volume 178, Issue 1. 27-36. DOI: 10.1007/s11229-009-9519-7 https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-philosophy/13 This work is brought to you for free by Swarthmore College Libraries' Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Philosophy Faculty Works by an authorized administrator of Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Empiricism, Stances and the Problem of Voluntarism Peter Baumann Synthese 178, 2011, 207-224 Empiricism can be very roughly characterized as the view that our knowledge about the world is based on sensory experience. Our knowledge about the world is "based" on sensory experience in the sense that we could not know what we know without relying on sense experience. This leaves open the possibility that sense experience is only necessary but not sufficient for the knowledge based upon it1-as long as the non-empirical elements are not themselves sufficient for the relevant piece of knowledge.2 The basing relation is not just a genetic one but also a justificatory one: Sense experience does not only lead to beliefs which happen to count as knowledge but also qualifies them as knowledge. In his important book The Empirical Stance Bas van Fraassen characterizes traditional empiricism at one point in a more negative way-as involving the rejection of "metaphysical" explanations which proceed by postulating the existence of something not 1 "But although all our cognition commences with experience, yet it does not on that account all arise from experience." (Kant, CpR, B1). -
Wittgenstein's True Thoughts
Nordic Wittgenstein Review 2(2013) AndrewLugg Wittgenstein’sTrue Thoughts Abstract The centralremarks of the Tractatus are without substantial content or consequence, remarks at theboundaries of sense that dissolveinto truth.While theysay nothing,theyencapsulatelogicalfeatures of languageand theworld.Unasserted, they expressthoughts, thetruth of which Wittgensteintakestobeunassailableand definitive, while asserted,they are out-and-out nonsense.Whatismanifest in linguistic practice is no more sayable – andnolesssignificant – thanwhatis manifest in logical truths,mathematicalequationsand theprinciplesof mechanics. 1. Understandingthe Tractatus Ludwig Wittgenstein seems to espouse philosophical opinions and defend adistinctive philosophicalpoint of viewinthe Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (TLP 1955/1961) 1 .There is no shaking the impression thatheisfully engaged in thephilosophicalenterprise, and it doeshim adisservice to interpret himasdismissing philosophy root and branch. Besides criticising traditional philosophy and pioneering anew approach to philosophical problems, he promotes what looksfor allthe world like philosophicalideas. This is how the Tractatus was read at the time by Bertrand Russell, Frank Ramsey andthe members of the Vienna 1 References to Wittgenstein’s works will be given using the abbreviations mentioned in the list of references. 33 Andrew Lugg BY-NC-SA Circle,not least Rudolf Carnapand Moritz Schlick,and how it is stillwidely read. It cannot be by chancethat Wittgenstein refers to “the thoughts whichare expressedin[the