Wittgenstein on grammar and grammatical method
This thesis is an investigation of Ludwig Wittgensteinâs later conception of grammar and philosophy as a grammatical investigation. I seek to clarify how one should understand the later Wittgensteinâs statement that ~grammar describes the use of words in the language~ (PG 60), as well as what motivates Wittgensteinâs philosophical interest in grammar. I explore and critically assess three different interpretative approaches to Wittgensteinâs conception of grammar, each of which presents a different characterisation of his view that philosophy is a grammatical investigation. I argue that Wittgensteinâs conception of grammar and philosophy should be understood against the background of his early views, and also in light of his later critique of those views in the Philosophical Investigations. I develop a sustained critique of the standard interpretation of grammar and grammatical investigation, which, I argue, tends to obliterate important contrasts between Wittgensteinâs early and later views. I propose that in interpreting Wittgensteinâs use of the term grammar, one should be sensitive to a distinction between two different notions of use, which in turn give rise to two different notions of grammar:
Dobler, T.
Wittgenstein on grammar and grammatical method. This thesis is an investigation of Ludwig Wittgensteinâs later conception of grammar and philosophy as a grammatical investigation. I seek to clarify how one should understand the later Wittgensteinâs statement that ~grammar describes the use of words in the language~ (PG 60), as well as what motivates Wittgensteinâs philosophical interest in grammar. I explore and critically assess three different interpretative approaches to Wittgensteinâs conception of grammar, each of which presents a different characterisation of his view that philosophy is a grammatical investigation. I argue that Wittgensteinâs conception of grammar and philosophy should be understood against the background of his early views, and also in light of his later critique of those views in the Philosophical Investigations. I develop a sustained critique of the standard interpretation of grammar and grammatical investigation, which, I argue, tends to obliterate important contrasts between Wittgensteinâs early and later views. I propose that in interpreting Wittgensteinâs use of the term grammar, one should be sensitive to a distinction between two different notions of use, which in turn give rise to two different notions of grammar:
wittgenstein grammar grammatical method investigation ludwig_wittgenstein later conception grammar philosophy grammatical investigation seek clarify late wittgenstein statement grammar describe use_word language well_motivate wittgenstein philosophical_interest grammar explore critically_assess three_different interpretative approach wittgenstein_conception grammar present different characterisation view philosophy grammatical investigation argue_wittgenstein conception grammar philosophy understood background early view also light later critique view philosophical_investigations develop sustain critique standard interpretation grammar grammatical investigation argue tend important contrast wittgenstein early later view propose interpret wittgenstein use term grammar sensitive distinction_two different notion use turn give_rise two_different notion grammar