on certainty 628

628. When we say “Certain propositions must be excluded from doubt”, it sounds as if I ought to put these propositions – for example, that I am called L.W. – into a logic book. For if it belongs to the description of a language-game, it belongs to logic. But that I am called L.W. does not belongs to any such description. The language-game that operates with people’s names can certainly exist even if I am mistaken about my name. – but it does presuppose that it is nonsensical to say that the majority of people are mistaken about their names.

it is not that people can be or can’t be mistaken –

about their names –

or anything else for that matter –

the ground of all language use –

of all language-games –

is uncertainty

and if you understand this –

you see that the notion of the ‘mistake’ –

has no place in language use –

it’s irrelevant

you don’t have mistakes –

what you have is different usages –

and there is no one –

or certain standard –

against which to judge –

any usage

and the point should also be made that  –

the propositions of a logic book –

the propositions of a logic –

are just another –

language-game

© greg t. charlton. 2010.