Single Idea 11049

[catalogued under 19. Language / F. Communication / 6. Interpreting Language / c. Principle of charity]

Full Idea

If language is to be a means of communication there must be agreement not only in definitions but also (queer as this may sound) in judgments.

Gist of Idea

To communicate, language needs agreement in judgment as well as definition

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations [1952], §242)

Book Reference

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Philosophical Investigations', ed/tr. Anscombe,E. [Blackwell 1972], p.88


A Reaction

If someone is locked into a highly alien viewpoint, then communication with them does seem to be virtually impossible. Amenability to reason, and consensus on elementary facts, seems to be the sine qua non of communication.