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Single Idea 4140

[filed under theme 19. Language / B. Reference / 3. Direct Reference / b. Causal reference ]

Full Idea

There is one thing of which one can say neither that it is one metre long, nor that it is not one metre long, and that is the standard metre in Paris.

Gist of Idea

The standard metre in Paris is neither one metre long nor not one metre long

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations [1952], §050)

Book Ref

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Philosophical Investigations', ed/tr. Anscombe,E. [Blackwell 1972], p.25


A Reaction

The remark which inspired Kripke's causal theory. Clearly W. is wrong, because it is one metre long, but why is it that length?