140. Inventing a language – inventing an instrument – inventing a game.
If we imagine a goal for chess – say entertainment – then the rules are
not arbitrary. So too for the choice of a unit of measurement.
We can’t say “without language we couldn’t communicate with one
another”. The concept of language is contained in the concept of communication.
any invention is a proposal – is
a proposition
if you play chess – a rule governed game – you play according to the rules –
if you don’t play according to
the rules – you don’t play chess
yes – you can question the rules
– and the rules are open to question – but questioning the rules – is not playing the game –
as to an imagined goal for chess
– say entertainment –
well you just have to wait and
see if the players are ‘entertained’ by the game
and just what does being
entertained amount to?
you would probably not spend too
much time on this question –
and just make a quick assessment
–
in the end of course – you can’t
be sure
the real point here is that there
is no necessary connection between playing according to non-arbitrary rules –
and being entertained
as to a choice of a unit of
measurement –
that will depend on what you are
doing – and how you want to go about it –
your choice won’t be arbitrary –
but it will be uncertain
‘We can’t say “without language we couldn’t communicate with one
another”. The concept of language is contained in the concept of
communication’?
the ground of communication – is the proposal
– is the proposition –
whatever form that takes
© greg t. charlton. 2015.
