Wittgenstein's Theory of Meaning

Description: This quiz will test your understanding of Wittgenstein's Theory of Meaning.
Number of Questions: 5
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Tags: philosophy philosophy of language wittgenstein
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What is the main idea of Wittgenstein's Theory of Meaning?

  1. Meaning is determined by the context in which a word is used.

  2. Meaning is determined by the mental state of the speaker.

  3. Meaning is determined by the physical properties of the object referred to.

  4. Meaning is determined by the logical structure of the sentence in which a word appears.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Wittgenstein argued that the meaning of a word is not something that is fixed and unchanging, but rather something that is determined by the context in which it is used. This means that the same word can have different meanings in different contexts.

What is the difference between a 'picture' and a 'proposition' in Wittgenstein's theory of meaning?

  1. A picture is a mental representation of an object, while a proposition is a linguistic expression that makes a claim about an object.

  2. A picture is a physical representation of an object, while a proposition is a mental representation of an object.

  3. A picture is a linguistic expression that makes a claim about an object, while a proposition is a mental representation of an object.

  4. A picture is a physical representation of an object, while a proposition is a linguistic expression that makes a claim about an object.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Wittgenstein argued that a picture is a mental representation of an object that can be used to communicate information about that object. A proposition, on the other hand, is a linguistic expression that makes a claim about an object. Propositions can be true or false, while pictures cannot.

What is the 'private language argument'?

  1. The argument that there cannot be a private language that is understood only by one person.

  2. The argument that there cannot be a public language that is understood by everyone.

  3. The argument that there cannot be a language that is both private and public.

  4. The argument that there cannot be a language that is neither private nor public.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Wittgenstein argued that there cannot be a private language that is understood only by one person because there is no way to verify the meaning of the words in such a language. This is because the meaning of a word is determined by the context in which it is used, and there is no way to establish a context for a private language.

What is the 'rule-following paradox'?

  1. The paradox that arises when we try to follow a rule that is not clear or unambiguous.

  2. The paradox that arises when we try to follow a rule that is too clear and unambiguous.

  3. The paradox that arises when we try to follow a rule that is both clear and unambiguous.

  4. The paradox that arises when we try to follow a rule that is neither clear nor unambiguous.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Wittgenstein argued that there is a paradox in the idea of following a rule. This is because, in order to follow a rule, we must first understand what the rule means. However, the meaning of a rule is not something that is fixed and unchanging, but rather something that is determined by the context in which it is used. This means that there is always the possibility that we will misunderstand the rule and follow it incorrectly.

What is the 'therapeutic' aim of Wittgenstein's philosophy?

  1. To help people overcome their philosophical problems.

  2. To help people understand the nature of reality.

  3. To help people live better lives.

  4. To help people achieve salvation.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Wittgenstein believed that philosophy is not a theoretical discipline that is concerned with discovering the truth about the world. Rather, he saw philosophy as a therapeutic activity that is aimed at helping people overcome their philosophical problems. Wittgenstein believed that these problems are caused by misunderstandings about the nature of language and reality.

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