How Did He Do That?

[Philosophy Now]

by Rick Lewis

http://philosophynow.org/issues/103/How_Did_He_Do_That

[spike]

As I recall this is the second issue PN has done on Wittgenstein. I thought it might be about war, especially WWI since it is the 100th anniversary of it. However, this article did mention the war through the connection of Wittgenstein having fought in it. Good coincidence! Moreover, that war seems significant because the world seems to be at a similar juncture.

I have tried to understand Wittgenstein's theory about language and its relationship to human existence. But it's probably not important that I do (same with Latin). He may have written a magnificent piece of philosophy like Rick Lewis tells it. But I see his work something like a Van Gogh painting, that it's a treasure for some. It may help make the world a better place, but really? Only in a small, rarified circle is it a great work or meaningful .

Rick Lewis writes: "Philosophy is worth doing because of its importance to our lives and our understanding of the world right now in the present. But to do it well, it does help if you have some knowledge of the history of philosophy too."

Well, I heard a famous British philosopher say that one shouldn't do philosophy on ones own because you might find things about the world you don't want to know, things that will mess you up as one American scientist put. (I imagine it can be something like doing plastic surgery on oneself.) But I am glad I got into it. I now feel privy to things about the world that others aren't. But in a significant way I am different because of my knowing more. I'm still an optimistic person, and not disillusioned, but I'm not as creative or passionate about things as I once was. I don't care as much for reading or writing as I once did. It's like having the attitude C'est la vie, which isn't a very motivating one.

I must say I like the idea of Wittgenstein, on the cover, standing in front of railway tracks, on a station platform. It's like he is standing in front of his tractatus, the terminus of a convoluted network.

[Wyman]

I was surprised to learn that Wittgenstein was a devout Christian. But if anything would make you a devout Christian, it would be sitting in the trenches during WWI.

[HexHammer]

Philosophy is worth doing because of its importance to our lives and our understanding of the world right now in the present. But to do it well, it does help if you have some knowledge of the history of philosophy too.

That's funny, I have the excatly opposit oppinion, as I see it as a mere total waste of time.

Do we in the Ethical sections see any with any basic knowledge of psychology, of intelligences and consequences of modern ethics and long term consequences? ..NOT AT ALL!!!!

Do we see anyone with any solid knowledge that can actually solve any of the world's problems or contribute to problem solving? No? ..because everybody here only have very poor knowledge and worse, most here are madmen polluting the chat with their endless babble and nonsense!

When I try to forward some intelligent stuff, it's shot down by all the helpless halfwits! Parrots and sheep, or just ignored because they don't comprehend it!

[Impenitent]

As I recall this is the second issue PN has done on Wittgenstein. I thought it might be about war, especially WWI since it is the 100th anniversary of it. However, this article did mention the war through the connection of Wittgenstein having fought in it. Good coincidence! Moreover, that war seems significant because the world seems to be at a similar juncture.

I have tried to understand Wittgenstein's theory about language and its relationship to human existence. But it's probably not important that I do (same with Latin). He may have written a magnificent piece of philosophy like Rick Lewis tells it. But I see his work something like a Van Gogh painting, that it's a treasure for some. It may help make the world a better place, but really? Only in a small, rarified circle is it a great work or meaningful .

Rick Lewis writes: "Philosophy is worth doing because of its importance to our lives and our understanding of the world right now in the present. But to do it well, it does help if you have some knowledge of the history of philosophy too."

Well, I heard a famous British philosopher say that one shouldn't do philosophy on ones own because you might find things about the world you don't want to know, things that will mess you up as one American scientist put. (I imagine it can be something like doing plastic surgery on oneself.) But I am glad I got into it. I now feel privy to things about the world that others aren't. But in a significant way I am different because of my knowing more. I'm still an optimistic person, and not disillusioned, but I'm not as creative or passionate about things as I once was. I don't care as much for reading or writing as I once did. It's like having the attitude C'est la vie, which isn't a very motivating one.

I must say I like the idea of Wittgenstein, on the cover, standing in front of railway tracks, on a station platform. It's like he is standing in front of his tractatus, the terminus of a convoluted network.

standing in front of that which he later disavowed...

-Imp

[spike]

standing in front of that which he later disavowed...

Hi oneliner Imp,

Thanks for your deep thought. But what did Wittgenstein later disavow, the railway tracks behind him or the semblance of civilization around him? Perhaps he just missed his train, the reason for the stunned, wooden look on his face. But he does look a bit shellshocked.

[Arising_uk]

Apparently he disavowed his train tracts. Although I'm still working through his PI and so far am unconvinced that what he says disavows what he said but then he is a tricky bastard to understand.

[attofishpi]

A textual clue appears in 5.02: “For I recognize the meaning of the sign… from the index.” We can thus gather that our indexes have something to do with a sign, and the meaning of the sign can be recognized from the index.

He knows (nose)?