Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must remain silent. Language Games LO: To understand and be able to explain clearly what is meant by the term Language Games Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must remain silent. Starter: What does this mean? What did the logical positivists take this to mean?

‘Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must remain silent.’ Starter Activity TASK- What do you think the meaning of the quote is? How might it relate to religious language? ‘Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must remain silent.’ This means that we should not talk about what we cannot understand,

Date Why did Wittgenstein see religious language as a game? Learning Objectives: To explain Wittgenstein’s theory of Language Games. To evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.

Who was Wittgenstein? Ludwig Wittgenstein (1886-1951) is often heralded as one of the greatest philosophers of the Twentieth Century. Born to a rich family, both of his parents were Jewish. He was the youngest of 8 children. 3 of his 4 brothers took their own lives, the other, despite losing an arm during WWI was a world famous pianist.

Wittgenstein’s life continued. He attend school with Hitler and it is believed that they did not get on. It has been suggested that Hitler’s dislike of Jews was sparked by his conflict with Wittgenstein. He spent the majority of his life lecturing Philosophy at the University of Cambridge. He was a firm believer that there are some things in life that intelligible to us and others that are not and it is important to accept this.

Wittgenstein: The early years. Throughout his life he was heavily involved in the study of Language, how it changes over time, its usage and how we understand it. Wittgenstein also advocated that we should not talk about what we cannot understand, famously saying: “Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must remain silent.” In short, while things we may not be able to sense or conceptualize some things, they may still have truth or reality, but to speculate on such points is ultimately meaningless.

Wittgenstein and God Taking into account what Wittgenstein had previously stated, what do you believe his approach would be towards a Religious Language?

The early years continued. Originally Wittgenstein set out to demonstrate clearly what one could use language for, and the limits of language. However, Wittgenstein, over the course of his life, realized that he was mistaken in what he originally stated and instead proposed a new, revised theory, that of Language Games. He states his role is to let the fly out of the bottle.

LO: To explain Wittgenstein’s theory of Language Games. What is a language game? Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) dedicated his life to the study of language. Wittgenstein argued that we cannot understand language without understanding the way in which it is used. He attempted to illuminate the nature of language by comparing language to games. LO: To explain Wittgenstein’s theory of Language Games.

You will need to invent 3 words and decide upon definitions. Game on... You will need to invent 3 words and decide upon definitions. You are going to have a conversation using the words you have invented. You must aim to use your word in the conversation of the group. You will score 1 point every time you use it in its right context. Attempt to guess each others words. 5 points if you guess correctly.

What is a Language Game? Ludwig Wittgenstein (1886-1951) saw language in terms of a game. To use language is to participate in game where we know and accept the rules. This is not to say language is trivial, rather the analogy of a game best highlights the nature of Language.

A game of Words For Wittgenstein, the use of language was like partaking in a game, to use a word you have to first understand how it works. Wittgenstein’s classic example was the game of Chess, you might be told that a piece was called a “King”, but without understanding the rules of Chess, you could never use the piece. He also stated that to argue how language is used is meaningless, if you want to play the game, you must accept the rules. You cannot play Chess if your opponent is trying to play Checkers.

Check Point... What does Wittgenstein mean when he talks of language games? Do we really need rules to understand the meaning of language? Can we have meaningful interactions with other people without language games?

Inside and Outside the Game Wittgenstein suggested that language, and therefore the rules of that language, can be seen from two sides, those who are inside the game and therefore know the rules and those who are outside the game and therefore do not know the rules. He offers us the following example: Imagine if you found yourself standing the driver’s cabin of a steam train, in front of you would be a large array of controls that you have no understanding of, while the actual driver would understand perfectly. The only way to engage with these controls is to learn through attempting to drive the train.

Words and their Contexts Take the word “Result” and describe its meaning for the following groups. An athlete involved in sport. A scientist working in a medical laboratory. A student following an exam. Do you think that Wittgenstein is correct in arguing that we can only understand words in the context of a language game?

D. Z. Phillips and Religious Language Games The philosopher D. Z. Phillips takes the language game theory and applies it to Religious language. Statements such as “God is Love” and discussions of Religious Experience are to be understood within their language game. As such it can only be judged by those who accept the rules. As such, it is argued, the Religious Language is meaningful to those who genuinely use it.

Advantages of Language Game Theory Highlights non-cognitive nature of religious language. Distinguishes it from other types of language Language games provide boundaries for correct use of language Believers can be initialised into the rules of language Defends language against criticism from other forms of life as truth is to be understood as relative and statements judged against their context, not on whether they are inherently or objectively true or false.

Weaknesses of the language game theory. Some thinkers suggest the theory resemble Fideism. Phillips claims Wittgenstein’s arguments support his view of religion, but arguably this leads to irrationalism and blind faith. Why should believers be allowed to say that the game of religious language requires no justification? This could be used to justify extremism or superstition. Doesn’t allow for believers claims to be empirically tested. Religious Language alienates those outside the game Rules of game cannot be changed to allow outsiders in.

LO: To explain Wittgenstein’s theory of Language Games. Game Time! TASK- In groups, play one of the board games that you have been given. LO: To explain Wittgenstein’s theory of Language Games.

LO: To explain Wittgenstein’s theory of Language Games. Reflection What things you were saying to each other during the game? Why would the only have meaning to those in the game? Would it make sense to those outside? How could this idea be applied to religious language? The statements only make sense and have meaning if you are in the game. If you are not in the game, the statements do not carry the same meaning. Hence, Wittgenstein argued that religious language is only meaningful if you are in the ‘game’ LO: To explain Wittgenstein’s theory of Language Games.

LO: To explain Wittgenstein’s theory of Language Games. What is a language game? Wittgenstein outlined his language game theory within Philosophical Investigations. Within it he likened language to a game that we play (e.g. chess, netball). In the same way, there are a number of ‘language games’ going on. By ‘language game’, he meant the context (setting) in which that word is used. Language games exist within all forms of human activity and life LO: To explain Wittgenstein’s theory of Language Games.

LO: To explain Wittgenstein’s theory of Language Games. What is a language game? The meaning of a word in one particular ‘game’ is determined by the ‘rules’ of that game (the way in which it is used). For example, the word ‘necessary’ has a completely different meaning in philosophy than it does in everyday use. The meaning is determined by its use. LO: To explain Wittgenstein’s theory of Language Games.

What is it like inside and outside the game? Wittgenstein suggested that language, and therefore the rules of that language, can be seen from two sides: Those who are inside the game and therefore know the rules And those who are outside the game and therefore do not know the rules People who are not in the game will not be able to understand the use of language. If they do not understand it, it will be meaningless. LO: To explain how scholars have supported this approach to describing God.

How does his theory relate to religious language? Wittgenstein further argued that religious belief has its own language. To say ‘God is good’ is meaningful to a theist since it links to their personal beliefs. However, an atheist will find it meaningless because they are not in the religious language ‘game’. Furthermore, they cannot claim that the language used in a particular ‘game’ is meaningless just because it does not make sense to them. Q: How does this point provide protection to people who use religious language in a certain way? People who are not in the game will not be able to understand the use of language. If they do not understand it, it will be meaningless. It is meaningless even if they understand the meaning of the words, they don’t understand its use or true religious significance. Wittgenstein's coherence theory of truth - that something has meaning if it is coherent to you.  LO: To explain how scholars have supported this approach to describing God.

How can an outsider join the game? He offers us the following example: Imagine if you found yourself standing the driver’s cabin of a steam train, in front of you would be a large array of controls that you have no understanding of, while the actual driver would understand perfectly. The only way to engage with these controls is to learn through attempting to drive the train. LO: To explain how scholars have supported this approach to describing God.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Language Game theory? TASK: Cut out the cards. Sort them into strengths and weaknesses. Order each set from most convincing to least convincing. Record the arguments into your notes. LO: To evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.

LO: To evaluate the effectiveness of this approach. Extension Tasks TASK: Which is the most convincing argument and why? Which is the least convincing argument and why? How does ‘Language Game’ theory link with the other approaches to describing God that we have studied? Do you agree with Wittgenstein that we can only have meaningful interactions with other ‘games’ if we understand their rules? Explain your personal view. LO: To evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.

Date Why did Wittgenstein see religious language as a game? Learning Objectives: To explain Wittgenstein’s theory of Language Games. To evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.

‘Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must remain silent.’ Plenary TASK- Compose a new paragraph to show your understanding of this key quotation. ‘Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must remain silent.’

Homework TASK- Read through and make notes from the OCR textbook using p. 383-387.