Full Idea
Dewey argued in the twenties that there could not be, in any serious sense, a private language. Wittgenstein also, years later, came to appreciate this point.
Gist of Idea
Dewey argued long before Wittgenstein that there could not seriously be a private language
Source
report of John Dewey (works [1926]) by Alex Orenstein - W.V. Quine Ch.6
Book Reference
Orenstein,Alex: 'W.V. Quine' [Princeton 2002], p.123
A Reaction
A nice historical footnote to perhaps the most famous argument in twentieth century philosophy. Can anyone send me the Dewey reference?