more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 6116

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 6. Logical Analysis]

Full Idea

We are trying to create a perfectly logical language to prevent inferences from the nature of language to the nature of the world, which are fallacious because they depend upon the logical defects of language.

Gist of Idea

A logical language would show up the fallacy of inferring reality from ordinary language

Source

Bertrand Russell (Logical Atomism [1924], p.159)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Russell's Logical Atomism', ed/tr. Pears,David [Fontana 1972], p.159


A Reaction

Wittgenstein seems to have rebelled against this idea, so that one strand of his later philosophy leads to 'ordinary language' philosophy, which is exactly what Russell is criticising. Wittgenstein seems to have seen 'logical language' as an oxymoron.