076 - Language Games: Wittgenstein, Hegel, and the Split in Philosophy

The Cunning of Geist

Wittgenstein is often mention as the most influential philosopher of the 20th century. His focus on the meaning of words became an integral part of the so-called "Analytic" branch of the discipline.
The later Wittgenstein contended that words are but tools, defined by their use within the context of the “language game” of the arena they are used, which is societally based and can evolve. One of these sandboxes is philosophy, as well as science and religion. And the language of one space does not necessarily hold water in another. That there is not one underlying true meaning of the word beneath all of the different areas; only how a word or phrase is used in context of the realm of "game" in which it is being used.
But cannot words be used to point outside of the realm in which they are used to Spirit, a higher power and purpose, and to the truly infinite? And isn't this the purpose of art, religion and philosophy? This episode explores.

Support the show