Full Idea
For Wittgenstein, meaning and understanding are not things that we do or achieve in our heads; they are things we achieve in the world.
Gist of Idea
We do not achieve meaning and understanding in our heads, but in the world
Source
report of Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations [1952], §202) by Mark Rowlands - Externalism Ch.5
Book Reference
Rowlands,Mark: 'Externalism' [Acumen 2003], p.95
A Reaction
Can't we achieve anything in our heads? Mental arithmetic seems to be fairly mental, unless we are going to be absurdly behaviouristic. If we can achieve some things in our heads, why not lots of things?