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Single Idea 6169

[from 'Philosophical Investigations' by Ludwig Wittgenstein, in 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 6. Meaning as Use ]

Full Idea

For Wittgenstein, meaning and understanding are not things that we do or achieve in our heads; they are things we achieve in the world.

Gist of Idea

We do not achieve meaning and understanding in our heads, but in the world

Source

report of Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations [1952], §202) by Mark Rowlands - Externalism Ch.5

Book Reference

Rowlands,Mark: 'Externalism' [Acumen 2003], p.95


A Reaction

Can't we achieve anything in our heads? Mental arithmetic seems to be fairly mental, unless we are going to be absurdly behaviouristic. If we can achieve some things in our heads, why not lots of things?