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What is left over if I subtract the fact that my arms goes up from the fact that I raise my arm?
Ludwig Wittgenstein
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote explores the distinction between physical actions and the underlying intentions or meanings behind them.

Ludwig Wittgenstein's quote challenges us to consider the difference between simply performing an action and the deeper understanding of that action. When he refers to raising his arm, he prompts an examination of what 'raising' signifies beyond the mere physical movement, suggesting that language and action are intertwined with the meanings we attribute to them.

Themes

ActionIntentionMeaningLanguagePhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

In a philosophy class, to spark a discussion about the nature of actions and meanings.

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If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world.
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Nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself.
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My day passes between logic, whistling, going for walks, and being depressed. I wish to God that I were more intelligent and everything would finally become clear to me - or else that I needn't live much longer.
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