What do I know about God and the purpose of life? I know that this world exists.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Wittgenstein admits ignorance about metaphysical ends but affirms the certainty of existence.
- In plain terms
- I don't know God's plan, but I know the world is real.
- What can you take from it?
- Existence is the only undeniable fact.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What else can you know for certain?
- Does knowing the world exist matter more than why it exists?
Another view
Existence itself may be questioned by solipsists or skeptics.
More from Ludwig Wittgenstein
Certainly it is correct to say: Conscience is the voice of God. (p. 75)
Permalink to quote #4 The meaning of life, i.e. the meaning of the world, we can call God.
Permalink to quote #6 One of the most difficult of the philosopher's tasks is to find out where the shoe pinches. (p. 60)
Permalink to quote #3
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