Abstract
The paper develops a novel account of the nature and genesis of some philosophical problems, which motivates an unfamiliar form of philosophical criticism that was pioneered by the later Wittgenstein. To develop the account, the paper analyses two thematically linked sets of problems, namely problems about linguistic understanding: a set of problems Wittgenstein discusses in a core part of his Philosophical Investigations, and the ‘problem of linguistic creativity’ that is central to current philosophy of language. The paper argues that these problems are generated by tacit and unwarranted presuppositions at odds with warranted beliefs the philosophers raising the problems reflectively hold at the same time. For a rigorous conceptualisation of this phenomenon, the paper develops the notion of a ‘philosophical picture’ first proposed by Wittgenstein, and specifies the particular class of philosophical problems that may be raised due to adherence to such pictures. The results motivate a new form of philosophical criticism: the systematic exposure of relevant philosophical pictures, and efforts to overcome their tacit influence on philosophical reflection.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
E. Ammereller E. Fischer (Eds) (2004) Wittgenstein at Work. Method in the ‘Philosophical Investigations’ Routledge London
E. Fischer (2000) Linguistic Creativity Kluwer Dordrecht
Fischer, E.: 2003, ‘Bogus Mystery about Linguistic Competence’, Synthese 135.
E. Fischer (2004) ‘A Cognitive Self-Therapy’ E. Ammereller E. Fischer (Eds) Wittgenstein at Work. Method in the ‘Philosophical Investigations’ Routledge London
E. Fischer (2006) Philosophical Delusion and its Therapy Routledge London
A. Crary R. Read (Eds) (2000) The New Wittgenstein Routledge London
Davies M. (1987) ‘Tacit Knowledge and Semantic Theory: Can a Five per cent Difference Matter?’, Mind 96.
M. Dummett (1976) ‘What Is a Theory of Meaning?’ G. Evans J. McDowell (Eds) Truth and Meaning: Essays in Semantics Clarendon Oxford
G. Evans (1981) ‘Semantic Theory and Tacit Knowledge’ S. Holtzman C. Leich (Eds) Wittgenstein: To Follow a Rule Routledge London
R. Larson G. Segal (1995) Knowledge of Meaning MIT Cambridge
D. Marr (1982) Vision Freeman San Francisco
Peacocke, C.: 1986, ‘Explanation in Computational Psychology: Language, Perception, and Level 1.5’, Mind and Language 1.
T. Winograd (1972) Understanding Natural Language EUP Edinburgh
Wittgenstein, L.: 2001, in J. Schulte (ed.), Philosophische Untersuchungen. Kritisch-genetische Edition, Suhrkamp, Frankfurt.
C. Wright (1981) ‘Rule-Following, Objectivity, and the Theory of Meaning’ S. Holtzman C. Leich (Eds) Wittgenstein: To Follow a Rule Routledge London
Wright, C.: 1986, ‘How Can the Theory of Meaning Be a Philosophical Project?’, Mind and Language 1.
Works by Wittgenstein referred to by abbreviation:
CV – Culture and Value, rev. 2nd edn., Blackwell, Oxford 1998.
FF – Frühfassung, early version of the PI, in Wittgenstein (2001).
PI – Philosophical Investigations, 3rd edn., Blackwell, Oxford 2001.
TLP – Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, Routledge, London 1961
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fischer, E. Philosophical Pictures. Synthese 148, 469–501 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-005-1007-0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-005-1007-0