If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world.
Ludwig WittgensteinRead
I'm doing philosophy like an old woman, first I'm looking for my pencil, then I'm looking for my glasses, then I'm looking for my pencil again.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Philosophy can often feel confusing and disorganized, akin to searching for misplaced items.
In this quote, Ludwig Wittgenstein humorously illustrates the often chaotic nature of philosophical inquiry. He compares the process of doing philosophy to the relatable experience of an elderly person searching for their belongings, implying that the pursuit of understanding is frequently marked by confusion and a lack of clarity, much like misplacing and re-locating everyday objects.
Themes
PhilosophySearchConfusionUnderstandingHumor
In practice
Example use cases
During a philosophy lecture to encourage students, one might say, 'Remember Wittgenstein's humorous take on the process of inquiry.'
More from Ludwig Wittgenstein
All quotes →One cannot guess how a word functions. One has to look at its use and learn from that. But the difficulty is to remove the prejudice which stands in the way of doing this. It is not a stupid prejudice.
Ludwig WittgensteinRead
No one likes having offended another person; hence everyone feels so much better if the other person doesn't show he's been offended. Nobody likes being confronted by a wounded spaniel. Remember that. It is much easier patiently - and tolerantly - to avoid the person you have injured than to approach him as a friend. You need courage for that.
Ludwig WittgensteinRead
It's impossible for me to say one word about all that music has meant to me in my life. How, then, can I hope to be understood?
Ludwig WittgensteinRead
Nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself.
Ludwig WittgensteinRead
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.
Ludwig WittgensteinRead
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