Philosophers are often like little children, who first scribble random lines on a piece of paper with their pencils, and now ask an adult 'What is that?' (p.193)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Similar to the previous quote, this highlights how philosophers often generate unclear statements and expect others to find meaning in them without sufficient context.
- In plain terms
- Philosophers draw random lines and ask what they mean just like a child.
- What can you take from it?
- Philosophical ideas need clear usage to be understood.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is all philosophy grounded in use?
- How do we judge meaning?
Another view
It assumes all philosophical inquiry lacks grounding, which is not always true.
More from Ludwig Wittgenstein
The aim of philosophy is to erect a wall at the point where language stops anyway. (p.187)
Permalink to quote #44 Uttering a word is like striking a note on the keyboard of the imagination. #6
Permalink to quote #46 The problems are dissolved in the actual sense of the word - like a lump of sugar in water. (p.183)
Permalink to quote #43
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