Philosophical Grammar 124

124. We might imagine a language in whose use the impression made on us by the signs played no part.

What I call a “proposition” is a position in the game of language.

Thinking is an activity, like calculating.

‘We might imagine a language in whose use the impression made on us by the signs played no part’?

the signs in a language – will have an affect in any use of any language –

just what that affect is – just what that impression is – will depend on context –

on the context of use

and even then – nothing definite can be asserted –

any impression – any affect – is open to interpretation

and it may even be the case that we can’t describe an impression –

don’t have the words for it – don’t have the language for it

or that given the context of use – the impression is just not relevant –

the question of its description – the question of the impression itself –

doesn’t come up

‘what I call a “proposition” is a position in a game of language?’

what I call a proposition is a proposal –

yes you can – if it suits – if you have reason to – ‘position’ it –

this is neither here nor there –

what is relevant is what is proposed

‘Thinking is an activity, like calculating’?

well – ‘thinking’ – is a proposal –

and just how we describe it – is open to question –

how any proposal is described – will be a question of context – of contingency –

there is no definite description –

any description – is uncertain –

any proposal is a logical space – for further description –

we operate – and quite effectively – in a web of uncertainty –

we make decisions – we make moves –

and whatever we say or do – is open to question –

whether we like it or not

that is the logical reality –

which is to say the human reality

© greg t. charlton. 2015.