What we are destroying is nothing but houses of cards and we are clearing up the ground of language on which they stood. #118
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Philosophy removes weak ideas and clears the ground for clear language.
- In plain terms
- We tear down weak ideas to clear the way for better words.
- What can you take from it?
- Clear weak ideas to make language and thought clearer.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What counts as a house of cards?
- Why clear the ground?
Another view
Some weak ideas serve useful social purposes.
More from Ludwig Wittgenstein
What we do is to bring words back from their metaphysical to their everyday use. #116
Permalink to quote #48 Your questions refer to words; so I have to talk about words. #120
Permalink to quote #50 Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of our language. #109
Permalink to quote #47
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