The Second Station: Sophisticated Metaphysics (And Meaning as Use)

Abstract

How can a book that starts with the words “The world is all that is the case” be construed as an anti-metaphysical book? Yes, it tells us that the traditional metaphysics of centuries-old philosophical theories were nonsense. Yes, it calls upon us to keep silent on matters that cannot be spoken of. Yes, it limits, and then talks about the limits, of our language — purporting to leave outside language talk which is seemingly metaphysical. And yes, it constrains meaningful talk by giving the exact criteria for meaningfulness — as a picturing of facts in the world.

One keeps forgetting to go right down to the foundations. One doesn’t put the question marks deep enough down. (Culture and Value 62 )