III
36. If for our purposes we wish
to regulate the use of a word by definite rules, then alongside its fluctuating
use we set a different use. But this isn’t like the way physics gives a
simplified description of natural phenomenon. It is not as if we were saying
something that would hold only of an ideal language.
as for ‘rules’ here and
‘regulation’ –
there are no rules – what we have
is language practices –
someone may reflect on this and
describe it –
any such description – may be
interesting and useful –
and may gain currency –
nevertheless it is a proposal –
a proposal for how to see
language – and how to describe it –
how to use it
and as with any proposal – any
use –
open to question – open to doubt
uncertain
© greg t. charlton. 2014.