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Single Idea 7092

[from 'Philosophical Investigations' by Ludwig Wittgenstein, in 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 10. Rule Following ]

Full Idea

The problem facing a putative private language-user - namely, that he cannot tell whether he is, or only thinks he is, following a rule - also faces the community as a whole; how does the community tell whether it is following a rule?

Gist of Idea

If individuals can't tell if they are following a rule, how does a community do it?

Source

comment on Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations [1952], §580) by A.C. Grayling - Wittgenstein Ch.3

Book Reference

Grayling,A.C.: 'Wittgenstein' [OUP 2001], p.125


A Reaction

Nice question. If you really get into the sceptical frame of mind that Wittgenstein reached about rules, almost everything seems impossible. How can I move? How can I speak? How can one instant follow another? How can I understand a word?