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Single Idea 18282

[filed under theme 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 5. Meaning as Verification ]

Full Idea

It isn't possible to believe something for which you cannot imagine some kind of verification.

Gist of Idea

You can't believe it if you can't imagine a verification for it

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosophical Remarks [1930], p.200), quoted by J. Alberto Coffa - The Semantic Tradition from Kant to Carnap 13 'Constr'

Book Ref

Coffa,J.Alberto: 'The Semantic Tradition from Kant to Carnap' [CUP 1993], p.257


A Reaction

In 1930 LW was calling this his 'old principle'. As it stands here it is too vague to assert very much.


The 3 ideas from 'Philosophical Remarks'

You can't believe it if you can't imagine a verification for it [Wittgenstein]
An 'object' is just what can be referred to without possible non-existence [Wittgenstein]
Language pictures the essence of the world [Wittgenstein]