Wittgenstein On Certainty

The certainty problem has always been an important issue in the history of philosophy.Since modern times,different schools of philosophers have different solutions.The problem on the one hand,derived from human's self-inspect of their cognitive abilities,on the other hand from Skeptics' question about human's ability to the justification of knowledge.From the perspective of philosophy of language,Wittgenstein makes solutions to this problem.These thoughts are mainly expounded in the book named On Certainty.In the book On Certainty,Wittgenstein puts forward his own certainty thoughts,which starts from his dissatisfaction with Moore's retort to Skepticism.After pointing out Moore's error,Wittgenstein analyzes the problems that exist in the Skepticism's doubt.And then,by means of metaphor,he puts forward his own perception of doubt and certainty.Finally,Wittgenstein admits the existence of certainty,and thinks we should relate certainty to form of life.Certainty and doubt is the corresponding relationship with each other.In the contemporary epistemology,the discussion about certainty problem involves multiple aspects,and the problem of the justification to knowledge is much more important.Skepticism denies that people can have true justification to their own knowledge.Through analysis and demonstration,they insist on their conclusions.Among Skepticism,the representative arguments are Agrippa's infinite regress of doubt,the Cartesian doubt and Hume's skepticism,etc.These doubts show the Skeptics' concern to the certainty problem,even to a certain extent,deny human's cognitive abilities,or at least express a kind of negative attitude.In the face of the concerns of the Skepticism,Wittgenstein has a positive answer to the certainty problem.Wittgenstein isn't responding,by using the method of clear argument,but continues his consistent style of dealing with philosophy problem.His depictions to certainty problem are dispersed over each code segment,and most of the time showing in the form of metaphor.To understanding certainty,this method brings about a certain degree of difficulty,but at the same time is especially vivid and accurate.Like “hinges”,“foundation-walls”,“picture of the world”,certainty plays a fundamental role to our knowledge and it is the fixed “hinges” which other things around rotate.But this immobility isn't absolutely invariability,isn't absolutely truth.Instead,certainty will be affected by factors such as history,cultural background.It will keep changing.Certainty and knowledge belong to different categories.Therefore certainty is from Skepticism's doubt.However,Wittgenstein's depictions to certainty still have some problems.First,if certainty is fundamental,whether this is equivalent to skepticism tactics? If so,how to defend this basis again? Second,as foundation,certainty still keeps changing.That is to say,certainty will change with the context changes,then if this change will shake the foundation role of certainty? Will this cause Relativism problem? Finally,Wittgenstein thinks that certainty is the guarantee of daily experience.Then,whether this way of argument is a transcendental argument?After clarifying these questions,Wittgenstein's certainty is actually a kind certainty,which returns to daily life.It is closely connected with our practice,shows itself in action.Wittgenstein's thoughts about certainty show his care of ordinary language.And for responding to the challenge of Skepticism,it also provides a new train of thought.