Wittgenstein and Social Practices

Bibliographic Data

ID4476835
AuthorsNigel Stirk (Downing College, Cambridge CB2 1DQ, England, corresponding author)
Year1999
Volume17
Issue1
Pages35-50
Publication date1999-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEnvironment and Planning D Society and Space (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0263-7758 • E-ISSN: 1472-3433
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1068/d170035
OpenAlexW2027760544
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited31

In this paper I examine the value of theories of social practice for cultural geography. I consider the relationship between culture and language use by drawing on the later philosophy of Wittgenstein, whose work explores the concepts of shared understanding and rule-following. Wittgenstein's approach assists in avoiding the type of misconceptions apparent in representationalist criticisms of influential theories of practice like those of Giddens and Bourdieu. A more fruitful way of dealing with practices is also suggested, which connects rules to the use of language and thereby to geographically specific cultures. Although several problems are identified in employing a Wittgensteinian analysis of practice, its applicability to human geography is considered in relation to the subjects of embodiment and place, as well as to the delineation of cultures and to issues of epistemology

Epistemology · Relation (database · Sociology · Value (mathematics · Computer Science · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Multilingual Education and Policy · Philosophy · Social and Cultural Dynamics

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