Description
Book SynopsisWhat is the nature of a conceptual scheme? Are there alternative conceptual schemes? If so, are some more justifiable or correct than others? This book explores Wittgenstein's views on these questions. It interprets his conception of grammar as a generalized version of Kant's transcendental idealist solution to a puzzle about necessity.
Trade Review"Nuanced and convincingly supported, Forster's work reaches conclusions of great intrinsic interest."
—Paul Horwich, University College, London and City University of New YorkTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Abbreviations xi Introduction 1 PART ONE GRAMMAR, ARBITRARINESS, NON-ARBITRARINESS 1. Wittgenstein's Conception of Grammar 7 2. The Sense in Which Grammar Is Arbitrary 21 3. The Sense in Which Grammar Is Non-Arbitrary 66 4. Some Modest Criticisms 82 PART TWO THE DIVERSITY THESIS 5. Alternative Grammars? The Case of Formal Logic 107 6. Alternative Grammars? The Limits of Language 129 7. Alternative Grammars? The Problem of Access 153 Appendix. The Philosophical Investigations 189 Notes 193 Index 241
