Rutgers University Prof. Mark Colby Spring 2013 Philosophy 409

Wittgenstein

Course Description This course introduces the philosophy of the later Wittgenstein, which is arguably the seminal stage in the contemporary reorientation of Western philosophy from its traditional focus on metaphysics and epistemology to language. We will begin with his conceptions of philosophy and language in his earliest work, the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Then we will examine the following among his later views in the Philosophical Investigations and other works: that traditional philosophy is pathological, a form of intellectual bewitchment; his methodical rejection of all philosophical problems, theses, theories, and explanations; his conception of “curative” philosophy as conceptual clarification through the description of actual and hypothetical uses of language (“language games”); his anti-essentialist or conventionalist view of linguistic meaning in terms of the rule-governed use of signs; his rejection of the idea of an intrinsically private language in favor of language as an irreducibly natural and social activity; the so-called “skeptical paradox” about following a rule; his conception of a form of life; and his undermining of foundationalism and skepticism. The course will end with thoughts for an immanent critique of the later Wittgenstein.

Required Texts Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations , revised 4th edition, trans. Anscombe et al. (West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009). Handouts of passages from other works by Wittgenstein will be posted on the Sakai site for this course. A secondary source of your choice is also required reading.

Course Prerequisites Two prior courses in philosophy are required. A prior course in the philosophy of language or epistemology is strongly advised. No first-year students are allowed.

Course Requirements (1) Two analytical papers, each 10 pp. long, each worth 45% of the course grade, using the secondary source as a guide (paper guidelines will be provided); (2) class participation is expected and is worth 10% of the course grade. Students are expected to attend all classes; if you miss a class, you are required to use the University absence reporting website at https://sims.Rutgers.edu/ssra to indicate the date and reason for your absence. (An e-mail is sent to me automatically, so you do not need to notify me.) Warning: If you miss more than three classes without documentation, your course grade will be reduced. Always bring the text to class. Do not repeatedly come late to class, leave early, or talk to each other during class. Turn all cell phones off. No text messaging is allowed. No solid food is allowed.

Office Hours I am in the student center cafeteria on Douglass every Tuesday and Friday from 8:30-9 a.m., when no appointment is necessary; and on Fridays at 2 p.m., by appointment only. You are encouraged to speak with me about this course in particular or philosophy in general. My e- mail address is mcolby@ rutgers.edu. The philosophy department’s undergraduate secretary is Jean Urteil (jurteil@ philosophy.rutgers.edu), 732-932-9861. Wittgenstein Prof. Colby Page 2

Dates, Topic, and Reading Assignment 1/22 Introduction 1/25 Language and philosophy in the early Tractatus 1/29 Language and philosophy in the early Tractatus, continued 2/1 The transition from the Tractatus to the Philosophical Investigations 2/5, 8 Wittgenstein’s later conception of philosophical method: Investigations , §§11, 15, 38, 49, 52, 81, 85, 89, 90, 91, 92, 97, 109, 111, 113, 114-16, 118, 119, 121-28, 131, 133, 161, 194, 254, 255, 261, 274, 295, 299, 303, 308, 309, 314, 348, 352, 393, 413, 436, 514, 520, 592, 593, 598, 599; handout

2/12, 15, 19 Meaning as use: §§1, 6, 7, 9-11, 15, 20, 23, 27-31, 38, 43-45, 47, 75, 79, 82, 87, 116, 132, 133, 138, 139-142, 191, 195-198, 224, 225, 305, 345, 496, 560, 568, 665, 689-693

2/22, 26 Language and language games: §§7, 16, 19, 21-25, 27, 29, 32, 47, 48, 53, 60, 64, 65, 71, 77, 81, 83, 86, 92, 96, 108, 109, 116, 120, 130, 136, 143, 179, 199, 203, 207, 240-242, 249, 269, 275, 290, 304, 355, 486, 492, 494, 497, 501, 556, 569, 630, 654, 656, 669; handout

3/1, 5, 8 Grammar and conventionalism: 29, 47, 85, 89, 90, 110, 111, 187, 199, 232, 251, 290, 295, 304, 307, 329, 353, 355, 371, 373, 387, 392, 401, 458, 492, 496, 497, 520, 572, 574, 594, 664; Part II, §367 (following p. 240e); handout

3/12 The private-language argument: §§207, 243, 244, 246, 249, 250, 258, 261, 262, 265, 268, 270, 281, 284, 293, 304, 315, 350, 361, 378, 380, 580; handout

3/15 The private-language argument, continued; first paper due

3/26, 29 The “skeptical paradox” about following a rule: §§143-242, 454

4/2, 5, 9 Wittgenstein’s naturalism: §§19, 23, 25, 206, 219, 240-42, 244, 325, 415, 467, 470, 570; box on p. 62e; Part II, §§365-66 (following p. 240e); handout

4/12,16,19,23 Foundationalism and skepticism: §§81, 84, 85, 87, 88, 100, 201, 217, 219, 234, 235, 238, 288, 289, 378, 471-490; Part II, §33 (p. 189e); handouts

4/26, 30 Issues about grammatical relativism and pluralism

5/3 Toward a critique: has Wittgenstein abolished traditional philosophy?