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Single Idea 18715

[from 'Lectures 1930-32 (student notes)' by Ludwig Wittgenstein, in 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 5. Universals as Concepts ]

Full Idea

If I say this is green, I must say that other things are green too. I am committed to a future usage.

Gist of Idea

Using 'green' is a commitment to future usage of 'green'

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Lectures 1930-32 (student notes) [1931], B VI.2)

Book Reference

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Lectures in Cambridge 1930-32', ed/tr. Lee,Desmond [Blackwell 1980], p.37


A Reaction

This seems to suggest that the eternal verity of a universal concept is just a convention of stability in a language.