The Private Language Problem

The thesis surveys and assesses the adequacy of interpretation of Ludwig Wittgenstein's "private language argument" to date. Two major "waves" of interpretation are identified. Among the characteristics of the first wave is found a tendency to interpret the private language argument as having something crucially to do with memory, and in a way which has stimulated charges of objectionable verificationism. The second wave is seen to center upon the concept of rule-following, and to engender charges of objectionable conventionalism (or nominalism).

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Philosophy

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Tanner, Steven Oliver

• Philosophy

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8610984

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/71561