(1904-____) British analytical philosopher; associated with Wittgenstein; very colorful; wrote 1. Other Minds , 2. Philosophy and Psychoanalysis , and 3. Paradox and Discovery . Philosophy is conceptual therapy, but not just the emancipation of the puzzled philosopher from the "bewitchment" of language. "A purely linguistic treatment of philosophical conflicts is often
inadequate." Philosophers puzzling over paradox es have noticed something about the world that must be taken seriously. The issue is not merely one of a confusing or misleading use of language, since what is said that may appear to be absurd may also be calling attention to some feature of the world that has escaped attention or is obscured by linguistic habits. But "philosophical theories such as 'Matter (or Mind)
does not exist' are paradox es; and philosophical questions are not questions (scientific) nor problems (logic) but riddles." The philosopher's proposals
concerning the nature of the world may be fruitful suggestions for showing us "not new things but old things anew." "A philosophical answer is really a verbal recommendation." As metaphysical statements, they are not (mere) nonsense (as the logical positivist hold), but significant "nonsense." "Wisdom places emphasis on seeing what is so, not saying what is so" (Newell). Although metaphysical statements are not factual statements per se, they are not, as a consequence, of emotive value only; they help one to see facts in a new way. Also reasoning is not
solely either empirical induction or deduction (i.e., logical demonstration), but in actual use is more nearly a referring to or comparing of particular cases. "Reasoning will not be effective until it leads to or comes from a new apprehension of the familiar."