Single Idea 18726

[catalogued under 10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 3. Necessity by Convention]

Full Idea

To a necessity in the world there corresponds an arbitrary rule in language.

Gist of Idea

For each necessity in the world there is an arbitrary rule of language

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Lectures 1930-32 (student notes) [1931], B XIV.2)

Book Reference

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Lectures in Cambridge 1930-32', ed/tr. Lee,Desmond [Blackwell 1980], p.57


A Reaction

This seems to be hardcore logical positivism, making all necessities arbitrary. Compare Quine on the number of planets.

Related Idea

Idea 9201 Whether 9 is necessarily greater than 7 depends on how '9' is described [Quine, by Fine,K]