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Articles

Philosophical Viruses

Richard Taylor on how language can mislead us.

Philosophers in the British tradition like to manipulate words and concepts, neglecting to consider what connection these might have, or lack, with reality. This is how they are able to invent clever philosophical arguments yielding conclusions that are presented as being true, albeit sometimes bizarre. It is this sort of intellectual exercise that evoked from Wittgenstein the exhortation “Don’t think about it, look at it!”

For example, philosophers assume that words have meanings much as birds have feathers, that they carry their meanings with them. Marks on paper and sounds in the air do not, however, have meanings as such; rather, they are used, by human beings, to convey meanings.

A simple experience drove this home to me long ago.

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