Wittgenstein on Criteria and Practices

The term "criterion" was once considered central to understanding Wittgenstein's later philosophy, but it was later relegated to one of many expressions used by him. This element discusses the shifting fate of the concept and argues that the post-Wittgensteinian debate about criteria was misguided by a problematic passage in Wittgenstein's early Blue Book. It also provides an overview of the main contributions to the debate, aiming to reconcile the rival conceptions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In the interpretive literature from the 1950s through the 1970s, the term "criterion" was considered a pivotal concept in understanding Wittgenstein's later philosophy. However, over time, it lost its central position and became just one among several expressions used by Wittgenstein to address philosophical questions. This essay aims to explore the shifting fortunes of this concept. It examines the various occurrences of the word "criteria" in Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations, argues that a problematic passage in Wittgenstein's early Blue Book misguided the post-Wittgensteinian debate about criteria, and provides an overview of the main contributions to this debate with the goal of reconciling the competing conceptions.

The term "criterion" gained prominence in the interpretive literature during the 1950s and 1960s, as scholars sought to understand the philosophical implications of Wittgenstein's later work. It was seen as a central concept in Wittgenstein's philosophy, particularly in his early writings such as the Philosophical Investigations. In these works, Wittgenstein explored the nature of language and meaning, and he proposed that criteria were essential for determining the truth and validity of philosophical claims.

However, as time passed, the term "criterion" began to lose its central position in the interpretation of Wittgenstein's philosophy. This shift can be attributed to several factors. One important factor was the development of new philosophical movements, such as analytic philosophy and postmodernism, which challenged the traditional understanding of criteria. These movements emphasized the importance of context and the role of language in shaping our understanding of the world.

Another factor that contributed to the decline of the term "criterion" was Wittgenstein's own later work. In his later writings, Wittgenstein became more interested in the nature of philosophical inquiry and the role of language in shaping our understanding of the world. He began to question the traditional notion of criteria as a universal and objective standard for determining truth and validity.

In the post-Wittgensteinian debate about criteria, there were several different interpretations and approaches. Some scholars argued that criteria were still essential for philosophical inquiry, while others argued that they were no longer relevant or useful. Some scholars sought to redefine the term "criterion" to better align with the new philosophical movements, while others rejected the term altogether.

One problematic passage in Wittgenstein's early Blue Book, which was published in 1913, is often cited as a source of confusion in the post-Wittgensteinian debate about criteria. In this passage, Wittgenstein discusses the nature of language and meaning and he proposes that criteria are essential for determining the truth and validity of philosophical claims. However, Wittgenstein also criticizes the traditional notion of criteria as being too rigid and abstract.

This passage has been interpreted in different ways by different scholars. Some scholars argue that Wittgenstein was rejecting the traditional notion of criteria and that he was proposing a more flexible and contextual approach to philosophical inquiry. Others argue that Wittgenstein was not rejecting the traditional notion of criteria but was instead criticizing its rigidity and abstractness.

Despite these different interpretations, there are several key contributions to the post-Wittgensteinian debate about criteria. One important contribution is the recognition of the importance of context and the role of language in shaping our understanding of the world. Scholars have argued that criteria must be understood in the context of the particular philosophical inquiry and the language used to express it. This means that criteria must be flexible and adaptable to the specific context in which they are used.

Another important contribution is the recognition of the role of intuition and experience in philosophical inquiry. Scholars have argued that criteria must be grounded in our intuitive understanding of the world and our experiences of it. This means that criteria must be sensitive to the particular ways in which we experience the world and the ways in which we interpret it.

In conclusion, the term "criterion" has undergone a significant shift in the interpretive literature from the 1950s through the 1970s. It was once considered a central concept in understanding Wittgenstein's later philosophy, but it has lost its central position due to the development of new philosophical movements and Wittgenstein's own later work. The post-Wittgensteinian debate about criteria has been shaped by different interpretations and approaches, but there are several key contributions to this debate. These contributions include the recognition of the importance of context and the role of language in shaping our understanding of the world, as well as the recognition of the role of intuition and experience in philosophical inquiry.

Weight: 110g
Dimension: 228 x 153 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108931168