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Single Idea 3882

[from 'Modern Philosophy:introduction and survey' by Roger Scruton, in 19. Language / F. Communication / 4. Private Language ]

Full Idea

Wittgenstein's point is that if I search for foundations in what can only be known to me, then the belief that I have discovered those foundations will also fall victim to Descartes' demon.

Clarification

He said a private language, with one speaker, was a logical impossibility

Gist of Idea

Wittgenstein makes it impossible to build foundations from something that is totally private

Source

Roger Scruton (Modern Philosophy:introduction and survey [1994], 5.3)

Book Reference

Scruton,Roger: 'Modern Philosophy: introduction and survey' [Sinclair-Stevenson 1994], p.54


A Reaction

Why should foundations based in wider society or a language community fare any better? Getting a lot of people to agree won't trouble the demon too much. Flat earthers.