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Ideas for 'The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics', 'Iteration Again' and 'Philosophical Investigations'

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4 ideas

1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 3. Philosophy Defined
2512 Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language [Wittgenstein]
     Full Idea: Philosophical problems are solved, not by giving new information, but by arranging what we have already known. Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language.
     From: Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations [1952], §109), quoted by Jerrold J. Katz - Realistic Rationalism Int.xi
     A reaction: A philosophical dispute can be settled by a piece of information, which may be already known to you, but new to me. Philosophical discussion can also point to a scientific research programme - i.e. a need for new information. I like the first sentence.
1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 7. Despair over Philosophy
4148 What is your aim in philosophy? - To show the fly the way out of the fly-bottle [Wittgenstein]
     Full Idea: What is your aim in philosophy? - To show the fly the way out of the fly-bottle.
     From: Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations [1952], §309)
     A reaction: Ridiculous. Trying to think about thought is not a pointless buzzing - it is an attempt by humans to become like gods.
1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 1. Nature of Metaphysics
21959 Metaphysics is the most general attempt to make sense of things [Moore,AW]
     Full Idea: Metaphysics is the most general attempt to make sense of things.
     From: A.W. Moore (The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics [2012], Intro)
     A reaction: This is the first sentence of Moore's book, and a touchstone idea all the way through. It stands up well, because it says enough without committing to too much. I have to agree with it. It implies explanation as the key. I like generality too.
1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 5. Linguistic Analysis
22490 Bring words back from metaphysics to everyday use [Wittgenstein]
     Full Idea: What we do is to bring words back from their metaphysical to their everyday use.
     From: Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations [1952], 116), quoted by Philippa Foot - Natural Goodness 7 n16
     A reaction: A germ of ordinary language philosophy. It is wrong to think that metaphysics must be studied in the usages of ordinary language, but I strongly believe that words like 'essence' or 'objectivity' should retain their normal meaning when philosophising.