Truth and Knowledge: On Some Themes in Tractarian and Russellian Philosophy of Language

By Eric H. Wefald

Based on the foundation of Wittgenstein's Tractatus and related writings of Bertrand Russell, Truth and Knowledge explores the basic problems of knowledge through the process of developing a theory of truth, uniquely the author's own. Russell's and Wittgenstein's theories of judgment, concepts of multiplicity, the nature of belief, and their ethical implications are examined, along with discussions and contributions of other more recent philosophers. While proclaiming enduring values of each and all, the author finds many logical difficulties and errors and either dismisses the problem or emends it. For example, the resemblance theory of language is refuted. The author demonstrates how by bringing linguistic and other singular descriptions under a unified account, the need for a distinction between semantics and syntax can be eliminated. Although the author sets forth his arguments in ordinary language, he also employees mathematical language of symbolic logic wherever necessary to clarify and validate his point of view.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761802681
• ISBN13: 9780761802686
• Release Date: May 1996
• Publisher: University Press of America
• Length: 204 Pages