448. I want to say: If one doesn’t marvel
at the fact that the propositions of arithmetic (e.g. the multiplication
tables) are ‘absolutely certain’, then why should one be astonished that the
proposition “This is my hand” is so equally?
whether someone is astonished or not –
has nothing to do with the issue of the
logical status of propositions –
so Wittgenstein’s statement here –
is really just an example of his rhetoric –
his attempt to con you into adopting his
view on certainty –
pretty poor effort really
any proposition – arithmetical or empirical
–
is open to question –
open to doubt –
is uncertain
with arithmetical propositions –
what you have is instruction –
instruction for a game of sign substitution
if you play
the game –
you play it without question –
however you can play the game –
and at the same time understand –
that every term and every concept –
involved in the game –
is uncertain
