If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world.
Ludwig WittgensteinRead
I am sitting with a philosopher in the garden; he says again and again 'I know that that’s a tree', pointing to a tree that is near us. Someone else arrives and hears this, and I tell him: 'This fellow isn’t insane. We are only doing philosophy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the nature of knowledge and observation in philosophical discourse.
Ludwig Wittgenstein illustrates the act of engaging in philosophical inquiry, where one may repeatedly affirm basic observations, like identifying a tree, to explore deeper understanding. It suggests that philosophy often involves examining the obvious and questioning our assumptions about reality, rather than implying any form of insanity.
Themes
PhilosophyKnowledgeObservationRealityUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a classroom setting during a discussion on epistemology.
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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
Ludwig WittgensteinRead
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