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Wittgenstein and the Xunzi on the Clarification of Language

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Abstract

Broadly speaking, language is part of a social activity in both Wittgenstein and Xunzi 荀子, and for both clarification of language is central to their philosophical projects; the goal of this article is to explore the extent of resonance and discord that may be found when comparing these two philosophers. While for Xunzi, the rectification of names (zhengming 正名) is anchored in a regard for establishing, propagating, and/or restoring a harmonious social system, perspicuity is for Wittgenstein represented as a philosophical end in itself. The article ventures study in particular the themes of perspicuity and aspect-perception in Wittgenstein together with the topics of correcting names and the cultivation of the heart-mind (xin 心) in the Xunzi. The aspiration of this project is to gain an overview of the role(s) of clarification projects in different philosophical traditions, all while not overlooking the different historical contexts and philosophical ends of these two philosophers.

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Acknowledgment

A previous version of this article was read at the 2015 meeting of the International Society for Chinese Philosophy in Hong Kong. I am thankful to attendees for questions that have helped improve my thinking with respect to these philosophical traditions. In particular, I am grateful for discussions with Li Puqun. I am also indebted to anonymous reviewers for detailed feedback that has helped focus my argument. Remaining problems or infelicities belong to their author.

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  1. General Education, School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 2001 Longxiang Avenue, Longgang District, Shenzhen, 518172, China

    Thomas D. Carroll

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Correspondence to Thomas D. Carroll.

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Carroll, T.D. Wittgenstein and the Xunzi on the Clarification of Language. Dao 17, 527–545 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11712-018-9627-5

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