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About this quote

What does it mean?
Philosophy should return words from abstract metaphysical uses to their concrete everyday contexts.
In plain terms
Bring words back from big abstract uses to normal daily uses.
What can you take from it?
Use words in their everyday context.

Where it applies

  • philosophical therapy
  • textual analysis
  • conceptual confusion

Putting it to work

  • check everyday usage
  • avoid abstract speculation
  • look at context

Questions to consider

  • How has this word changed meaning?
  • Is this use normal or forced?

Another view

Some abstract uses are necessary for technical fields.

More from Ludwig Wittgenstein

  1. Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of our language. #109

    Permalink to quote #47

  2. What we are destroying is nothing but houses of cards and we are clearing up the ground of language on which they stood. #118

    Permalink to quote #49

  3. Uttering a word is like striking a note on the keyboard of the imagination. #6

    Permalink to quote #46

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