Van Pelt's Theorem: A.Even IF all possible scientific questions could be answered, those answers would not address or resolve all problems of life. B. Moreover, ALL possible scientific questions are not answerable---in particular, those not yet formed because of ignorance of what to ask.
He was not much. His Tractatus was hardly worth mention, the final few words, summarily illustrative. That he was a student of Russell is instructive. Math and philosophy have little in common. Pride of association does not=genius. A short life is unjust, but no excuse. Sorry. No sympathy here.
If you agree with this quote, it can seem to be a platitude. However, I think that it can be read in different ways. One is this: Many people think that our problems can be solved by finding technical, scientific solutions and "forget" that solutions must be applied by humans. Humans have values, preferences, make mistakes etc. Solutions are never scientific or technical but human. My experience is that it can be difficult to convince people of the truth of this. This is what Wittgenstein stresses. But there are many other interpretations as well of this quote. Wittgenstein was not a simple student who followed his "teacher" Russell, but an independent thinker who had found someone with whom he could talk about his questions. Moreover, he laid the foundation of his Tractatus when he served as a soldier in the Austrian army and when Russell was far away. See for instance his diaries.
We disagree on LW. That is what people do. I am not an authority on any philosophy or philosopher. There are many I have not read at all. Just not enough time or energy. I respect your opinion. Saw something on Rorty this morning: gloom and doom for the future, forecast in 1998. I did not agree with much of what he said either, but saw where he was headed with a collection of essays, in trade paperback: The Consequences of Pragmatism. Some things brighten the lightbulb. Others crank down the dimmer switch. Thanks!
For me it's the same: I am not an authority on any philosopher, but about some I know a little bit more than average. Wittgenstein is one of them. Thank you for your comments, anyway.
5 comments:
Van Pelt's Theorem:
A.Even IF all possible scientific questions could be answered, those answers would not address or resolve all problems of life. B. Moreover, ALL possible scientific questions are not answerable---in particular, those not yet formed because of ignorance of what to ask.
He was not much. His Tractatus was hardly worth mention, the final few words, summarily illustrative. That he was a student of Russell is instructive. Math and philosophy have little in common. Pride of association does not=genius. A short life is unjust, but no excuse. Sorry. No sympathy here.
If you agree with this quote, it can seem to be a platitude. However, I think that it can be read in different ways. One is this: Many people think that our problems can be solved by finding technical, scientific solutions and "forget" that solutions must be applied by humans. Humans have values, preferences, make mistakes etc. Solutions are never scientific or technical but human. My experience is that it can be difficult to convince people of the truth of this. This is what Wittgenstein stresses. But there are many other interpretations as well of this quote.
Wittgenstein was not a simple student who followed his "teacher" Russell, but an independent thinker who had found someone with whom he could talk about his questions. Moreover, he laid the foundation of his Tractatus when he served as a soldier in the Austrian army and when Russell was far away. See for instance his diaries.
We disagree on LW. That is what people do. I am not an authority on any philosophy or philosopher. There are many I have not read at all. Just not enough time or energy.
I respect your opinion. Saw something on Rorty this morning: gloom and doom for the future, forecast in 1998. I did not agree with much of what he said either, but saw where he was headed with a collection of essays, in trade paperback: The Consequences of Pragmatism. Some things brighten the lightbulb. Others crank down the dimmer switch. Thanks!
For me it's the same: I am not an authority on any philosopher, but about some I know a little bit more than average. Wittgenstein is one of them. Thank you for your comments, anyway.
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