Single Idea 4161

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 3. Privacy]

Full Idea

If a lion could talk, we could not understand him.

Gist of Idea

If a lion could talk, we could not understand him

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations [1952], II.xi)

Book Reference

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Philosophical Investigations', ed/tr. Anscombe,E. [Blackwell 1972], p.223


A Reaction

How does he know these things?! We could at least know whether they talked or merely grunted, by studying their correlated behaviour. Cf. dolphins. I think he is wrong. All talk is understandable to a degree, even God's.