Language games Flashcards
What is Picture theory?
Picture Theory: language works by triggering within us pictures of how things are in the world. Language is only meaningful if it used in relation to what we see in the world. Language presents facts.
Who was Language games discovered by?
Wittgenstein, he was influenced by Logical positivists but changed his views on how language works.
What was a Quote that Wittgenstein said?
‘Don’t ask me for the meaning, ask for the use’
What does the quote ‘Don’t ask me for the meaning, ask for the use’ mean?
He was less concerned with the truth or falsity of language ( contrast with LP). For religious language, he thought that function ight be more important than meaning ( A02 verification and falsification)
How does language work through language games according to Wittgenstein?
He argued that language use is like playing a game with rules. Within our groups, we have agreed rules about how words are used. If I point to a table and say the word ‘wardrobe’, someone will correct me just as if I had moved a chess piece incorrectly. Different settings and situations each have their own language games.
How does Wittgenstein apply language games to religious language?
Religious language and the statements made by different religious groups are in themselves language games.
Give an example of how language games apply to religion?
the statement ‘God allows suffering as a means of developing human character and we will be rewarded in heaven’ fits with a Christian interpretation of the world. However, it does not fit within the atheistic language game, for instance.
How is religious language a non-cognitivist theory?
religious language is only meaningful in a certain context, i.e. it is meaningful to those participating in that particular language game.
Why is the theory of language games important?
This is because of the connection it makes with the ‘coherence theory of truth’ ( that something has meaning if it is coherent to you. ) e.g God is the creator because he created the world, so you can understand what they mean
Who applied Wittgenstein’s theory to religious belief?
D.Z Philips
What does D.Z Philips say?
Applies to Religious language and says statements such as ‘Gods love’ and discussions of Religious experience are to be understood within their language game. As such it can only be applied to those who accept the rules.
For D.Z Philips how does RL a way of defining the rules of the game?
Religious language is a way of defining the rules of the game e.g. saying “God is love” is not just a description of an existent being, it shows how the word God is to be used.
What idea can be linked to D.Z Philips which is a critque ?
Fideism religious language is meaningful to those who genuinely use it and it does not need to be justified by those who participate in the language game. E.g. saying my guy applies to me but not someone else.
What are some strengths of language games?
1) makes sense of different cultures having their own religious meanings in their own language games - also explains different religions claims about God
2) It highlights the non-cognitive nature of language.
3) promotes empathy and understanding for people who are different to yourself - may help prevent conflict.
4) does not disregard potentially meaningful statements like falsification and verification
What are 4 weaknesses of language games?
1) perhaps it promotes alienation because it can also be used to stop people critiquing a certain belief - “its my belief, it is true, it is not wrong” ( no philosophical debate)
2) Philps claims wittenstein;s view to support religion, which leads to irrationalism and blind faith. ( RL allows no justification, meaning extreme claims can be justified, so no boundaries)
3) R.L might have meaning as a language, but this meaning doesn’t necessitate God’s existence. In fact, it implies that God doesn’t need to exist in any real sense, but can be understood nonetheless.
4) claims that no-body is objectively right
