Philosophical Theology
Philosopher Stephen Toulmin discusses the philosophical theology views of Thomas Aquinas, Gottfried Leibniz, and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Professor Toulmin relates an amusing comment from Wittgenstein, who once said when someone asked him if he believed...
Are Interpretations True?: Hermeneutics
The branch of philosophy that deals with interpretation is called hermeneutics, a field that today is applied to many parts of life. Not too long ago its primary focus was on language and methods that assist us in getting at the meaning of texts. In...
Skepticism
Philosopher Stephen Toulmin talks about the difference between the modern use of the term "skepticism" and the way the word was used by the Greeks, as well as by Ludwig Wittgenstein. Nowadays, Professor Toulmin explains, the word is used to mean ref...
Wittgenstein and Language
Philosopher John Searle discusses Ludwig Wittgenstein and his ideas about language. Professor Searle notes that Wittgenstein believed many of the most pressing problems in philosophy really come down to confusion arising out of misunderstanding the ...
Wittgenstein and Language (Part Two)
Philosopher Stephen Toulmin continues his exploration of language and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Professor Toulmin explains that Wittgenstein worked throughout his career to understand, "...how it is possible at all that there should be such a thing as a ...
Wittgenstein and Language (Part One)
Philosopher Stephen Toulmin notes that Immanuel Kant first dealt with the problem of the intrinsic limits of human reason and how we can deceive ourselves if we don't pay proper attention to them. By the time that question reached Ludwig Wittgenstei...