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Tag: Philosophical Investigations

Philosophy as Good for Nothing: A Manifesto

Philosophy as Good for Nothing: A Manifesto

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1. “What is philosophy?”— What kind of question is that? I’ve long found it fascinating and of huge importance that, “What is philosophy?” is itself a philosophical question. This is not the same for other fields. That is, “What is science?” is not a scientific question. Perhaps if it is read as asking, “What do people called ‘scientists’ do?” it could be read as an empirical question, though that is not enough to make it scientific. I take the questions, “What…

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Not So Single-Pointed Philosophical Activity

Not So Single-Pointed Philosophical Activity

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Meditation, particularly in the tradition of Dōgen, is the paradigm for single-pointed activity. Whether you follow your breath or “just sit,” openly aware of the present moment in its entirety, Dōgen makes clear that you are not to judge whatever arises as good or bad. And when thoughts, images, desires, etc., arise, you let them go and return to the “object” of meditation. In so doing you are contributing to the re-habituation of your mind, getting “better” at letting go…

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Thoughts on “Private Language” and Natural Expressions

Thoughts on “Private Language” and Natural Expressions

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I like a look of agony, Because I know it’s true; Men do not sham convulsion Nor simulate a throe. The eyes glaze once, and that is death. Impossible to feign The beads upon the forehead By homely anguish strung. (Emily Dickinson) An important part of seeing what Wittgenstein is up to is to recognize that his starting point when “doing philosophy” is that there are all of these phenomena of life:  we talk meaningfully about dreams, the future, sensations,…

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Significantly Updated Translation of Philosophical Investigations

Significantly Updated Translation of Philosophical Investigations

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This is the review I wrote on Amazon.com: Even though Wittgenstein’s German is nothing like Kant’s, providing a good translation of his work is a challenge given all that one must bring into consideration. Anscombe’s original translation had its merits, but it also had a number of frustrating flaws. One of the many problems with Anscombe’s translation of PI, is her translation of both “hinweisende Erklärung” and “hinweisende Definition” as “ostensive definition,” where the former is more literally read as…

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