Wittgensteins Picture Theory of Meaning - Coursework Example

QUESTION Defend or criticize the view that propositions are pictures of s of affairs. Explain Wittgenstein’s picture theory of meaning and how the theory applies to what Wittgenstein calls propositions or propositional signs. What is the difference between a picture and a proposition? How according, to Wittgenstein, are pictures and propositions alike? How are they different? Introduction Ludwig Wittgenstein, a renowned Philosopher, has contributed greatly on the field of meaning of language and how it relates to the world. This relationship has language being looked at as possessing the capability to communicate facts in a precise and concise way, such that, the propositions are able to reflect reality falsely or rightly. In his book, Wittgenstein formulates the exact features a language should have so as to be able to reflect reality and hence make meaning. The languages that do not possess these features he says of them as lacking any important meaning. Still in his book Wittgenstein seeks out to delineate the vital features of propositions that are meaningful. He tries to address the question of the minimum circumstances of meaningfulness. This means, questioning what qualities a proposition should have so as to be able to picture a possibility. With this background then, it therefore is possible to see the philosophers’ arguments about propositions and also better understand the picture’s theory of meaning he advanced in trying to better understand his work (Wittgenstein 1-19). Wittgenstein argument that propositions are pictures of states of affairs Wittgenstein (22-97), rightly so, argues that propositions are pictures of states of affairs. He does this by trying to distinguish the differences that emerge between saying something and showing something in trying to explain the use of language. His main objective is trying to show what can be described in language and that which cannot be described. He emphasizes on the importance of facts and objects and how they are paramount in showing the relationship that can be viewed by propositions and the elements of these propositions. By treating language thus it is meant to help people understand that just like facts propositions are also very complex in nature. This complex nature is seen in the order of how words and other language items occur also in the way names can only occur in the nexus of propositions. Wittgenstein’s picture theory of meaning and how the theory applies to what Wittgenstein calls propositions or propositional signs. Wittgenstein’s (55-173) picture theory of meaning as seen in his book is one that is trying to look for the connection or relationship between language and the word. This he is doing by exploring the affinity of picturing. Seen clearly in the theory of meaning is the notion that the basic objective of a linguistic endeavor is to portray the world precisely and accurately. The philosopher looks at the world and language as two separate and independents entities that can only be understood by looking at their connection which lies in the picturing characteristic of propositions. An isomorphism or congruent relationship is set up amid language and the world and this is what it consists of and qualifies the picture theory of meaning. In his book what he writes about this theory and the details he gives describe this world-language congruence. Wittgenstein writes that the world is build of facts and the basic and simple elements of languages in other words ‘names’ refer to the most simple facts of the world and are referred to as ‘objects’(Wittgenstein 100-173). Very simple links of these names also called ‘elementary propositions’ directly speak to the basic configurations of the simplest facts or the objects in the world also called ‘atomic facts’. Reality is ‘pictured’ through correspondence of its elements to the objects of the world together with its bearing of the same ‘logical structure’ as the atomic fact by the elementary proposition (Wittgenstein 34-89). Also in turn, elementary propositions can vey well be linked by truth-connectives to generate overall ‘propositions’ that can correspond in a simple manner to the ‘facts’ which make up the world. It therefore emerges that language is all inclusively the same to the pre-determined possible propositions which also reciprocates to the entirety of all the possible facts ‘the world’. In the picture theory, language does not just refer to self but rather must get out of itself and step into the non-linguistic domain of facts. The minimum requirements of a proposition to be considered meaningful must at the very least facilitate the unambiguous examination of possible states of affairs in the world. For a sentence to be meaningful it should enable those hearing or reading it to know what the world looks like precisely or in other words what the case is and if that case is true (Wittgenstein 32-173). In the picture theory, the proposition must at all costs determine reality precisely and whether falsely or rightly. Wittgenstein writes about proposition saying it is a state of affairs that has been put together purely by one trying to experiment. Therefore it would be very wrong on ones part to even consider true propositions as if they are trying to mirror accurately or inaccurately a possible state of affairs. For a proposition to be an accepted and therefore considered to be legitimate, a statement should by all means picture a possible state of affairs in a concrete way. A statement must pinpoint those set circumstances which are required and are enough to make the proposition true, that is seek to find out the propositions truth-conditions (Wittgenstein 20-156) . The issue that propositions emphasize is that the truth-conditions are satisfied thus enabling a statement to be judged as being true or false but which again depends on the actual facts found in the world. The philosopher writes that to a certain extent proposition can determine reality where one just needs to simply say yes or say no to make the proposition agree with reality. This creates an image of proposition being a pointed arrow that is pointing to an exact target. A proposition sets in logical space a place. Thus we see in this theory that even what is a false sentence must in a precise manner mirror the world of possible facts, for they decide a logical place or determine a possible state of affairs one which in reality simply happens not to be case. Difference between a picture and a proposition or how pictures and propositions are alike and how are they different? According to Wittgenstein (23-44), he defines propositions as the sum truth operations that relates to or corresponds to the propositions’ sets of elementary facts contained in a statement. This means that the aggregate of the truth operation is related to the degree of how complex the proposition is. Even if the logical form of a proposition is too complex, it is said that simpler signs are used to make those complex signs and in turn elementary propositions can be used to express the simplest signs. This implies that human beings can understand as a result of truth operations on elementary propositions all propositions. Propositions help people build the pictures of state of affairs. Therefore all propositions are looked at as being truth and by nature as functioning as such. Wittgenstein writes says that all propositions result from operations of truth. He goes on to emphasize that those truth operations go ahead to take as bases elementary propositions and in turn produce as truth function for the complex propositions (Wittgenstein 53-69). In looking at pictures and propositions, the most important thing to know is that propositions, in a very specific way, portray logical pictures of possible state of affairs. These pictures are all supposed to be logical pictures. A picture is supposed to have at least something in common with that which it pictures for it to be able to represent it at all either rightly or falsely. This quality is referred to as the logical form. The picture in itself is a fact and the relationship between a proposition and the state of affairs it represents all lie in the same logical form of both facts. The logical form is said to be as that which all the pictures are required to share with that which they represent so that they can be pictures in the first place (Wittgenstein 45- 94). Trying to explain the shared logical form of a proposition and what it pictures cannot in isolation be pictured or said but can only be achieved by being shown. Propositions are not in any position to describe themselves nor give their own existing features as this would require them to contain themselves, something which is impossible. As Wittgenstein says of this fact that there are no propositions that can be able to say anything about themselves as they cannot be contained in themselves. This basically means a picture can under no circumstances represent the relation it’s representing itself. This means that about the fact of that shared logical form of the picture which is what it pictures. Pictures just like propositions are not able to step outside of themselves to even a level that would be considered higher so as to try and describe their own properties necessary or not. This makes all propositions equal in value and their properties are not confirmed by the propositions themselves but are shown and the same is true for pictures. For example if two propositions are contradicting each other this can only be shown by the contradicting structures of these propositions (Wittgenstein 22-173). In addition, pictures show reality. This is achieved by the way they represent possibilities if existence and possibilities of non-existence of a state of affair. This happens by the way the pictures’ elements join in a fossilized or determinate structure. The resultant is that these pictures say that the state of affairs those that are representing is the case and picture show their sense for instance what is to be expected if the case is true. This means if the pictures are in agreement with the reality then they are true and if they do not then they are false. The pictures are therefore related to that which they are portraying. It is suffice to say that what is true for non-depiction characteristic of pictures is similar for the logical form of the propositions. It is impossible for language and also pictures to say what is common about their structures as they can only show it as they depend on the logical form that is mirrored or can be seen in them. It is impossible to step out of our language with another language to portray language. Conclusion In conclusion, Wittgenstein (77-173) says that the thoughts of human beings are made up of logical pictures of facts that eventually find propositions that can be perceived and expressed. All the propositions have in common and in expression a distinct mark of form and content therefore it is impossible to understand expressions put across by propositions that we have not grasped. The philosopher also adds, that just like logical pictures, propositions have a way of creating a possible state of affairs and whether true or false they are supported by being able to agree or disagree with reality. It is prudent to note that, whereas anything else can vary, a proposition’s form is always constant and this aids in understanding various elements of language leading efficient communication. Wittgenstein has come up with a solution which is explaining language in such a way that it takes note of the rules that guide signs they are taken out of the logical form they mirror. He shows how important it is that logic should have to deal with preconditions of meaning. If there is a way to combine a sign with an assertion and result in a nonsensical meaning this can be determined through logical forms which can then be shown reflexively via a proportion’s properties that are with itself. This implies that something has to first be meaningful before if can be considered to be true or false. Lastly, Wittgenstein is trying to show how logic manages to deal with all the truth functions that demonstrate how to derive complex propositions from simple ones is achievable. This he explains that when a notation is set, in exists a rule that guides the subsequent construction of every proposition that can negate a p and another rule that governs the creation of all propositions that would end up qualifying p and q and so on and so forth. Such rules are equivalent or are the same as the symbols and these rules mirror the sense Works Cited Wittgenstein, Ludwig. Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. LTD. New York: Harcourt, Brace & Company, Inc., 1922. Read More