Single Idea 6887

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 5. Linguistic Analysis]

Full Idea

Linguistic philosophy gives careful attention to actual linguistic usage as a method of dealing with problems of philosophy, resulting in either their solution or dissolution.

Gist of Idea

Linguistic philosophy approaches problems by attending to actual linguistic usage

Source

Thomas Mautner (Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy [1996], p.318)

Book Reference

Mautner,Thomas: 'Dictionary of Philosophy' [Penguin 1997], p.318


A Reaction

This approach is now deeply discredited and unfashionable, and, I think (on the whole), rightly so. Philosophy should aim a little higher in (say) epistemology than merely describing how people use words like 'know' and 'believe' and 'justify'.