Wittgenstein on Logical Form and Kantian Geometry
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9686464 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Donna M Summerfield (Southern Illinois University Carbondale, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1990 |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 531-550 |
| Publication date | 1990-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Dialogue (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0012-2173 • E-ISSN: 1759-0949 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0012217300048241 |
| OpenAlex | W2160645283 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 12 |
That Wittgenstein in the Tractatus likens logic to geometry has been noticed; however, the extent and force of the analogy he develops between logical form and a broadly Kantian account of geometry has not been sufficiently appreciated. In this paper, I trace Wittgenstein's analogy in detail by looking closely at the relevant texts. I then suggest that we regard the fact that Wittgenstein develops his account of logical form by analogy with a Kantian account of geometry as evidence for the bold thesis that Wittgenstein belongs within a Kantian epistemological tradition. Finally, I supply two small pieces of the interpretive puzzle needed to support the larger thesis: first, evidence that Wittgenstein's concern with logical form involves a crucial epistemological component; second, a sketch of how Wittgenstein's account of logical and mathematical knowledge can be viewed as continuing a Kantian tradition
Algorithm · Analogy · Epistemology · Linguistics · Logical consequence · Sketch · TRACE (psycholinguistics) · Logic, programming, and type systems · Mathematics · Philosophy · Philosophy and Theoretical Science · Wittgensteinian philosophy and applications
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |