green numbers give full details | back to texts | unexpand this idea
21960 | Ordinary language is the beginning of philosophy, but there is much more to it |
Full Idea: Ordinary language is not the last word: in principle it can everywhere be supplemented and improved upon and superseded. Only remember, it is the first word. | |||
From: J.L. Austin (A Plea for Excuses [1956], p.185), quoted by A.W. Moore - The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics Intro | |||
A reaction: To claim anything more would be absurd. The point is that this remark comes from the high priest of ordinary language philosophy. |