The Impact Of The Study Of Private Language In Wittgenstein’s Later Philosophy

Philosophy of language is a revolutionary turning point of20th century western philosophy.As one of the most significant figures in the analytical philosophy field, Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgenstein (1889-1951) focused on the study of "language" in his research, yet during his later period study, he shifted the importance to the participation of the subject in the language game, which differs from his logical analysis in the early period by removing man’s subjectivity in using language, instead, he argued that man should get involved into it. He also stated his findings of family resemblance between various languages in this period. Meanwhile, Wittgenstein proposed the famous"against private language". Many philosophers have their own distinctive understandings towards private language, some of them are certain of the existence of private language, such as Ayer, an English philosopher, still, there are philosophers who hold the same idea with Wittgenstein, and Kripke is one of them.In the light of the study of Wittgenstein’s opposition against the dualism reflected by private language, and together with other philosophers’ understandings of private language, this thesis is dedicated to elaborate the relationship between his main arguments in the later research period with his interptation on private language, which would be of great help to illustrate private language’s immense impact on Wittgenstein’s later philosophy study and then, to highlight the commonality and sociality of language proposed by Wittgenstein in his later period and his influence upon the contemporary analytical philosophy.This thesis will be divided into three parts:Part One. What is "private language"?Wittgenstein proposed private language, and he also argued that private senses can not be measured by a fixed standard. Then he pointed out the ambiguity of using this kind of words to refer to a certain object and the negation of dualism expressed by private object significance founded on private senses. On Wittgenstein argumentation of private language, another philosopher Kripke commended it as unique and original, and that is the reason why he studied Wittgenstein’s philosophy through skepticism. Then in this part, the author will also state Ayer’s comprehension towards private language.Part Two. Analysis of the history of Wittgenstein’s philosophy research in his later periodThe whole emphasis will be laid on this part. Through analyzing Wittgenstein’s argumentations in his later period, this part will illustrate the implied negation of private sense and private object suggested by him at first. Then establish a connection with private language to show the main philosophy of each argumentation.1. Language-gameThe term language-game is meant to see language as a game which involves the participation of the subject. In other words, instead of studying language separately, the learners should sense language directly in the real environment. The key point here is to be in the language, which is incompatible with the personal, random and incomprehensible private language. This thesis holds the idea that the existence of language-game suggested the non-existence of private language.2、Family resemblanceThe foundation of the possible commonality amongst various language games means the existence of certain kinds of resemblance between each language game, hence, it confirms the possibility of learning. On the contrary, the proposition of private language is based on the personal and incomprehensible construction of the receptor. Even on the condition of the existence of this kind of language, it still would be independent and incompatible with other languages. Therefore, it shows the fact that there is no place for this incompatible private language in the whole language family which is founded on the family resemblance and that private language is not exist.3、ParadoxIt is a fact that to take part in a language game, one must know the rules in advance, therefore, the term paradox refers to the conflict whether to learn the rules before participate in the language game or learning the rules while playing in the game. In the section202of Philosophy Investigation, Wittgenstein definitely stated that "personally" following a rule is not possible. And Kripke also started his own interpretation of private language from this point. Then he adapted the "rule" to his analysis of skepticism negation implied by private language.Part Three. Analysis of private language’s impact on contemporary analytical philosophy.The opposition against private language and the language family resemblance proposed by Wittgenstein has partly hidden and partly visible impact on contemporary analytical philosophy. This thesis will illustrate this immense impact from the Entirety Teory by Quinn and Pradigm Teory by American philosoper Kuhn.