On Certainty
Encyclopedia
On Certainty is a philosophical
book composed from the notes written by Ludwig Wittgenstein
just prior to his death. Some of the notes were left at the home of G. E. M. Anscombe
, who later compiled the notes into a book.
The book's concerns are largely epistemological, its main theme being that there are some things which must be exempt from doubt in order for human practices to be possible (i.e. 'doubt' being a practice as well). The book takes as its starting point the 'here is a hand
' argument made by G. E. Moore and examines the place of claims to know in our knowledge.
Another important point is his claim that all doubt is embedded into underlying beliefs and therefore that the most radical forms of doubt must be rejected since they form a contradiction within the system that expressed them. Wittgenstein also provides a novel refutation of various forms of philosophical skepticism
. The book was published posthumously in 1969 from notebooks written in the last two years of his life.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
book composed from the notes written by Ludwig Wittgenstein
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgenstein was an Austrian philosopher who worked primarily in logic, the philosophy of mathematics, the philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of language. He was professor in philosophy at the University of Cambridge from 1939 until 1947...
just prior to his death. Some of the notes were left at the home of G. E. M. Anscombe
G. E. M. Anscombe
Gertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe , better known as Elizabeth Anscombe, was a British analytic philosopher from Ireland. A student of Ludwig Wittgenstein, she became an authority on his work and edited and translated many books drawn from his writings, above all his Philosophical Investigations...
, who later compiled the notes into a book.
The book's concerns are largely epistemological, its main theme being that there are some things which must be exempt from doubt in order for human practices to be possible (i.e. 'doubt' being a practice as well). The book takes as its starting point the 'here is a hand
Here is a hand
Here is a hand is the name of a philosophical argument created by George Edward Moore against philosophical skepticism and in support of common sense:* This is a hand.* Here is another hand.* There are at least two external objects in the world....
' argument made by G. E. Moore and examines the place of claims to know in our knowledge.
Another important point is his claim that all doubt is embedded into underlying beliefs and therefore that the most radical forms of doubt must be rejected since they form a contradiction within the system that expressed them. Wittgenstein also provides a novel refutation of various forms of philosophical skepticism
Philosophical skepticism
Philosophical skepticism is both a philosophical school of thought and a method that crosses disciplines and cultures. Many skeptics critically examine the meaning systems of their times, and this examination often results in a position of ambiguity or doubt...
. The book was published posthumously in 1969 from notebooks written in the last two years of his life.
See also
- "Here is a handHere is a handHere is a hand is the name of a philosophical argument created by George Edward Moore against philosophical skepticism and in support of common sense:* This is a hand.* Here is another hand.* There are at least two external objects in the world....
" - Philosophical InvestigationsPhilosophical InvestigationsPhilosophical Investigations is, along with the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, one of the most influential works by the 20th-century philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein...
- Philosophical skepticismPhilosophical skepticismPhilosophical skepticism is both a philosophical school of thought and a method that crosses disciplines and cultures. Many skeptics critically examine the meaning systems of their times, and this examination often results in a position of ambiguity or doubt...
External links
- On Certainty - translation by Denis Paul and G. E. M. AnscombeG. E. M. AnscombeGertrude Elizabeth Margaret Anscombe , better known as Elizabeth Anscombe, was a British analytic philosopher from Ireland. A student of Ludwig Wittgenstein, she became an authority on his work and edited and translated many books drawn from his writings, above all his Philosophical Investigations...