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

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: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1071199

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

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