Religion as a Legitimate Language Game
Wittgenstein's Philosophy of Language
- Early Wittgenstein: In his early work, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, Wittgenstein viewed language as a system of propositions that picture reality.
- Later Wittgenstein: In his later work, Philosophical Investigations, he shifted to a more pragmatic view, emphasizing the use of language in specific contexts.
This shift marks a move from a representational view of language to a use-based view, where meaning is determined by context and function.
Language Games
Definition
Language game
A language game is a context or activity in which language is used according to specific rules.
- Examples: Asking a question, giving an order, telling a story.
- Significance: Language games highlight the diversity of language use and the context-dependent nature of meaning.
Consider the word "faith." In a religious language game, it might mean trust in a divine being, while in a scientific context, it might be seen as belief without evidence.
Religion as a Language Game
- Autonomy of Religious Language: Wittgenstein argued that religious language is a distinct language game with its own rules and criteria for meaning.
