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Some Reflections on Language Games

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

Wilfrid Sellars*
Affiliation:
University of Minnesota and Minnesota Center for Philosophy of Science

Extract

1. It seems plausible to say that a language is a system of expressions the use of which is subject to certain rules. It would seem, thus, that learning to use a language is learning to obey the rules for the use of its expressions. However, taken as it stands, this thesis is subject to an obvious and devastating refutation. After formulating this refutation, I shall turn to the constructive task of attempting to restate the thesis in a way which avoids it. In doing so, I shall draw certain distinctions the theoretical elaboration of which will, I believe, yield new insight into the psychology of language and of what might be called “norm conforming behavior” generally. The present paper contains an initial attempt along these lines.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Philosophy of Science Association 1954

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