Language Game (2)

Abstract

In his essay ′Wittgenstein′s Builders′ Rush Rhees presents a deeply thoughtful criticism of some of Wittgenstein′s statements about Language Game (2) of the Philosophical Investigations. This ′language game′ or ′language′ is described by Wittgenstein as follows: The language is meant to serve for communication between a builder A and an assistant B. A is building with building-stones: there are blocks, pillars, slabs and beams. B has to pass the stones, and that in the order in which A needs them. For this purpose they use a language consisting of the words ′block′, ′pillar′, ′slab′, ′beam′. A calls them out; — B brings the stone which he has learnt to bring at such-and-such a call.