Abstract

SECTIONS 28-46 OF THE Philosophical Investigations contain an elaborate and detailed criticism of a certain misguided conception of ostensive definition, and of the misconceptions of proper names which had characterized logical atomism. At least part of Wittgenstein’s critical discussion appears to be directed at views he himself had earlier adopted, explicitly or tacitly. Other parts are evidently directed at Russell. In section 46 Wittgenstein turns to discuss the ontological counterpart of the notion of the logically proper name—the simple object whose existence is necessary.