'For the person or persons that hold dominion, can no more combine with the keeping up of majesty the running with harlots drunk or naked about the streets, or the performances of a stage player, or the open violation or contempt of laws passed by themselves than they can combine existence with non-existence'.

- Benedict de Spinoza. Political Treatise. 1677.




Thursday, February 11, 2010

on certainty 283


283. For how can a child immediately doubt what it is taught? That could mean only that he was incapable of learning certain language games.



no – what it means is that the child can question –

and this ability to question – this natural ability –

has not been compromised

if by ‘learning’ Wittgenstein means – not questioning –

not doubting –

then Wittgenstein mistakes learning –

for indoctrination

 
© greg t. charlton. 2010.