Wittgenstein and the Linguistic Turn: How to Explain His Philosophical Impact to a Layperson

Explaining Ludwig Wittgenstein to someone unfamiliar with philosophy can be done by highlighting some key ideas in simple terms:

Language and Meaning: Shaping Our Understanding

Wittgenstein believed that the way we use language shapes our understanding of the world. He argued that meaning is not fixed but is determined by how words are used in specific contexts. For example, the word philosophy might have a very different meaning in a classroom setting compared to a philosophical discussion in the context of logic. This concept challenges the idea that language is a static tool for conveying absolute truths.

Philosophical Problems: Cleared Through Language Use

Wittgenstein thought that many philosophical problems arise from misunderstandings of language. Instead of seeking deep, abstract answers, he suggested that we should clarify how we use words to resolve confusion. This approach contrasts with traditional philosophical methods that aim to find the definitive answers behind complex questions.

Life as a Language Game: Limits of Expression

Wittgenstein introduced the idea that life can be seen as a series of linguistic games, where the rules and purposes are continually shifting. In his later work, he emphasized that there are limits to what can be said meaningfully. Some things, like feelings or experiences, might be difficult to express in words, and trying to do so can lead to confusion. This means that while language is powerful, it is not capable of capturing every aspect of human experience or thought.

Connecting Philosophy to Everyday Life: The Practical Side

Wittgenstein believed that philosophy should be connected to everyday life. He thought philosophers should focus on ordinary language and everyday situations rather than abstract theories. This practical approach emphasizes the importance of understanding how language is used in real-world contexts to clarify our thoughts and actions.

In summary, Wittgenstein's work encourages us to pay attention to how we use language in our daily lives to clarify our thoughts and to recognize the limits of what can be meaningfully expressed.

A Historical Perspective: The Path to Perfection

Most of us believe the world is logical and that language can accurately represent that logic. That's why we argue. We believe the truth is valuable, and we know it is worth spreading and even fighting for. We also believe that language is how we do it.

However, around 100 years ago, our top philosophers and scientists were on the right track with their concepts of empiricism and falsification. They were trying to hone in on what made a statement scientifically valid. The first concept was empiricism and physical evidence. This tells us that statements need to be backed by experience and experiment to be true. The next concept was falsification, which tells us that a statement that cannot be physically tested is scientifically irrelevant.

They assumed that the world was logical and that language could accurately represent that logic. But then Wittgenstein came along and said, Language is but a game we play where we say what we need to get what we want. This means that language is full of ambiguity but it doesn't matter because it was never designed to be the truth anyway.

Wittgenstein's philosophy represented a linguistic U-turn. The path to perfection pointed backwards. Back to our imagination we go to get what we want, not what is true. This practically described everything about language and why we say anything. It also explained why so much of it contradicts and can be forced to make sense. This is the linguistic turn, or the linguistic U-turn. The path to perfection just pointed backwards.

This isn't to say there's no truth, no logic, or no reality. In fact, if you extract the logic from language and make a language out of it, you’re left with mathematics, the language of logic. But English, and most languages, are more about games, transactions, stories, and social consequences than pure logic. This means that while we might waste our time trying to make language into a logical truth, we're actually better off using language as a tool for communication and understanding.

Wittgenstein happened, and it could still happen to you. So if you find yourself stuck in the idea that language is the logical truth, take a step back and consider Wittgenstein's perspective. Cheers if it has happened already!

Keywords: Wittgenstein, linguistic turn, philosophy