Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

Private Language

Philosophy Forums, Jul 11, 2006

Can there be a private language, that is, a language that you think in, but never speak to anyone else? According to Wittgenstein, there cannot be, because you would never know whether you are using it correctly. Language is, therefore, an irreducibly public phenomenon. Is it the same with knowledge? Can there be private knowledge? It seems there must be, doesn't there - after all, only you can know whether or not you are actually in pain. Or not? Anyhow, if you enjoy these questions, you will enjoy this thread of discussion on private language at the Philosophy Forums.

Today: 1058 Total: 1060 [Direct link] [Share]

Image from the website


Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

Copyright 2024
Last Updated: Mar 29, 2024 05:04 a.m.

Canadian Flag Creative Commons License.

Force:yes