Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations is a masterpiece that subverts traditional philosophical concepts, it is not a systematic theoretical work, but consists of a series of short and concise fragments of thought, as if the pearls of thought are scattered on the page, waiting for the reader to pick them up one by one and connect them into a chain. At the heart of this book is a critique of the fundamental errors of traditional philosophy and an attempt to redefine the tasks and methods of philosophy.
Wittgenstein repeatedly emphasizes the concept of language games in this book, arguing that language is not an isolated, static system of symbols, but an activity embedded in a concrete situation, full of diversity and flexibility. Each way of using a language has its own rules and purposes, just like the various games that children play, each with its own way of playing and having fun. This view challenges the conventional wisdom that there is a fixed structure of meaning behind language, revealing that meaning is a dynamic process that arises through communication and interaction in a given context.
Another important topic in the book is the critique of private language. Wittgenstein pointed out that it is meaningless to conceive of a language that only oneself can understand, because the essence of language is public and social. If a word or expression does not have a meaning that can be shared within a social group, then it loses its communicative function and becomes a self-referential without substance. This means that our thoughts, emotions, and even personal experiences are shaped and understood in the process of communicating with others.
Wittgenstein also delved into the relationship between mental states and behavior, and how to properly understand the principle of "meaning as use". He reminds us that when trying to explain the meaning of a word, we should focus on how the word is used in actual language games, rather than looking for some abstract, intrinsic meaning. For example, when we say "pain", it is not only about knowing that it represents a feeling, but also about knowing under what circumstances we say "I am in pain" and what kind of response the expression will elicit.
In addition, the book's approach to philosophical issues is unique. Wittgenstein argues that many traditional philosophical questions, such as discussions about the mind, knowledge, and the nature of reality, stem from the misuse of language. These may seem profound, but they are the result of misunderstandings and misuse of everyday language, and once we properly understand how language works in a given context, these questions will resolve themselves like a mystery. Therefore, the task of philosophy is no longer to construct grand theoretical systems, but to "cure" these confusions caused by the misuse of language, to help us think clearly and express accurately.
The reading experience of Philosophical Studies is unique in that it does not provide a systematic theoretical framework like traditional philosophical works, but rather leads readers to reflect on their own ways of thinking and language habits through a series of insightful thinking experiments and dialogues. Wittgenstein's writing is straightforward and profound, revealing complex philosophical questions with simple examples, making it easy to read and re-examine one's own way of understanding the world.
All in all, Philosophical Studies is a work that prompts us to think outside the traditional philosophical framework and re-evaluate the relationship between language, thinking, and reality. It teaches us that philosophy is not a theoretical construction from above, but a practical wisdom close to life, which exists in every speech and demeanor we make. Through this book, Wittgenstein not only challenged the traditional boundaries of philosophy, but also opened up new avenues for later philosophical thinking, making us understand that true philosophical exploration often begins with a keen insight into the details of everyday life.
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