MID TERM - WITTGENSTEIN Flashcards
What are the two types of belief according to Wittgenstein?
Shakable beliefs (based on evidence) and unshakable beliefs (foundational, without evidence).
How do shakable beliefs differ from unshakable beliefs?
Shakable beliefs can change when they conflict with stronger beliefs, while unshakable beliefs cannot be revised because they are foundational.
What is the relationship between shakable and unshakable beliefs in Wittgenstein’s account?
Shakable beliefs depend on unshakable beliefs for their justification, meaning all beliefs are rooted in the foundational unshakable beliefs.
Why can’t unshakable beliefs be revised, according to Wittgenstein?
Unshakable beliefs are the most strongly held beliefs, and there is no stronger belief to cause their revision.
How does Wittgenstein argue that belief systems affect communication?
Different belief systems assign different meanings to the same terms, so people with different belief systems cannot contradict each other because they are not talking about the same thing.
Why does Wittgenstein argue that contradiction is impossible between different belief systems?
Because people with different belief systems mean different things by the same terms, so they are not truly contradicting each other, but instead are referring to different concepts.
What does Wittgenstein’s account suggest about our ability to know the world?
Our knowledge is subjective and dependent on our belief system, making it difficult to achieve objective knowledge or universal communication.
How does Wittgenstein explain the difficulty in changing someone’s mind?
To change someone’s mind, you must show them that one of their beliefs contradicts another belief within their own belief system. However, foundational (unshakable) beliefs cannot be changed.
