PURSE 2001

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https://ir.lib.pdn.ac.lk/handle/20.500.14444/48

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Browsing PURSE 2001 by Subject "Analytic"

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    Analytic philosophy: A brief appraisal
    (University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2001-11-16) Kalansuriya, A. D. P.
    Analytic philosophers identify the very subject of Philosophy with an analysis of words, terms, notions, expressions, statements, etc.. Wittgenstein gave a new impulse to analytic philosophy with the radiant notion, namely, "A main source of our failure to understand is that we do not command a clear view of the use of words." This is a clear recognition of human failure together with a committed estimate of the ability to engineer solutions for problems that have befallen the best brain since the Greeks. "A clear view of the use of words." But, then, what does it mean? One has to note the nature of the discourse, that of the doctrine, that of the argument, etc. (to which Wittgenstein says 'language game') in which it finds expression that is its original home, in which alone it meaning. Two conclusions follow (i) that confusions, which occupy us do not arise. (ii) which are already there, can be dispelled. The implication being a therapeutic one reminds of a prescription for doing philosophy. That is, putting the word in its linguistic context and whole statement in its native context. But, then, how does one do this? By accepting and mastering analytic techniques. The resuIt: To bring words back from their metaphysical to everyday usage (L Wittgenstein, 'Phylosophical Investigations, 1953: 48e), implying that metaphysics does not have a logic of its own whereas other discourses have a logic of their own. Implied are "chains of reasoning" or "forms of life" in all discourses other than 'philosophy'; for 'philosophy' is not a discourse an analytic activity. Based on this concept of "chains of reasoning," one sees not only the nature of the discourse--science, religion, aesthetics, etc. but also the limits pertaining to 'truth' or 'falsity' of statements that come within first-order disciplines. This brings out the very base of Analytic phylosophy understood and practiced in the English-speaking world as a second-order discipline.