Rule Following: A Criterion for Wittgenstein’s meaning as Use Theory
Journal Title: International Journal of Social Science And Human Research - Year 2024, Vol 7, Issue 10
Abstract
Since the publication of Wittgenstein on Rules and Private Language by Saul Kripke, there have been controversial interpretations of what it means by ‘rule following’ with regard to the question of meaning. Kripke maintains that Wittgenstein’s paradox of rule following demands us to consider what mental or behavioral items could constitute meaning. This boils down, according to Kripke, to the conclusion that either of the choice ends up with a dilemma which calls for a solution yet again to yield another sceptical solution. Rivals to Kripke like McDowell and Wright have argued that if we seriously read Wittgenstein we realise that a dispositional choice is plausible. Others like Patrizio Lo Presti, for example, have defended Wittgenstein by positing that there is no need to separate mental and behvioral items in the first place and that Wittgenstein is misinterpreted. Following this line of thinking, this paper contends that rule following is an essential criteria for Wittgenstein theory of meaning as use. It takes the view that if the paradox forces us to make a choice then it is plausible to choose behavioral items as satisfying rule following and so meaning. The paper thus adopts the position that, when discussing the concept of language game to the conclusion that the meaning of a word is but its use, Wittgenstein successfully uses the concept of rule following to reach this conclusion. Simply, meaning as use is realized when people follow the rules of language. They are neither written rules nor syntactical rules but semantic rules of language based on context. Thus, in our daily conversations and practical life humans tend to follow rules, sometimes without being familiar with that, to successfully understand each other and take actions on various issues at hand. This begins right from the moment we learn language.
Authors and Affiliations
Tano Benjamin Kamota, George Ndemo
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP750267
- DOI 10.47191/ijsshr/v7-i10-95
- Views 21
- Downloads 0
An Introspective Analysis of Hassan Zrizi’s Reading Comprehension for EFI Students: A Student’s Textbook
This paper presents a comprehensive review of Dr. Hassan Zrizi's textbook, Reading Comprehension for EFL Students: A Student's Textbook (2018). The textbook is designed to enhance students' strategic interaction with Eng...
Manager Ethical Behaviour and Employee Affective Commitment
The influence of manager behaviour on employee positive work behaviour has sought empirical evidence against the backdrop of robust conceptual and theoretical positions on the subject. Considering this debate, this study...
The Effectiveness of Circuit Training on Agility and Body Mass Index Among Secondary School Students in Putrajaya
The aim of this study was to determine whether a modified circuit training program for less fit secondary school students based on body mass index could improve their fitness levels. The study was designed as a pre and p...
Design of "Reog Ponorogo" Game Character Assets to Introduce Indonesian Folklore
This research is entitled "Designing Character Assets with RPG Style based on Reog Ponorogo Folklore". And main problem are development of technology will be affects the interest of millennials in preserving Indonesian c...
Impacts and Efforts to Preserve Local Wisdom of the Bajo Tribe in the Conservation of Marine Resources in Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia
This research aims to analyze the impact of the local wisdom's non-sustainability on the life of Bajo Mola people and to analyze efforts to maintain the local wisdom of Bajo Mola tribe in conserving marine resources. The...