His explanations of primitive practices are much cruder than the meaning of these practices themselves. (p. 131)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Wittgenstein critiques simplistic explanations of cultural practices, noting they often fail to capture the deeper meaning embedded in those practices.
- In plain terms
- Explanations of customs are often too simple to match the real meaning.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid reducing complex cultural practices to crude explanations.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes an explanation adequate?
- How do we understand others?
Another view
Some explanations aim for clarity rather than depth, which has its own value.
More from Ludwig Wittgenstein
The ceremonial (hot or cold) as opposed to the haphazard (lukewarm) characterizes piety. (p. 127)
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