Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Philosophical Grammar 74


74. We learnt the meaning of the word plant by examples. And if we disregard hypothetical dispositions, these examples stand only for themselves. –

The grammatical place of the word “game” “rule” etc is given by examples in rather the way in which the place of a meeting is specified by saying that it will take place beside such and such a tree.



an ‘example’ functions a place for meaning – as a token for meaning

the example does not ‘stand for itself’ – whatever that is supposed to mean

but rather for the meaning of the word –

and just what that amounts too – how meaning is understood –

is a matter for speculation – is an open question

to be honest – I think in general – in practice – we assume meaning – without knowing what it is –

where there is a question – examples – or tokens – come into play

however we place a word –

that placement will be open to question



© greg t. charlton. 2014.