Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent?" Critically discuss.

The Context: Wittgenstein’s Picture Theory of Meaning

To understand the dictum, it’s crucial to grasp Wittgenstein’s “picture theory of meaning.” He posited that language functions by picturing facts. A proposition is a logical picture of the state of affairs it describes. This picture is isomorphic to reality – meaning there’s a structural similarity between the proposition and the fact. For example, the proposition “The red book is on the table” pictures the fact that a red book is indeed on a table. This theory implies that only propositions that can be logically verified or falsified are meaningful.

What Can Be Said and What Can Be Shown

Wittgenstein distinguished between what can be *said* (expressed in meaningful propositions) and what can only be *shown*. Things that can be shown are those that make themselves evident, but cannot be stated as facts. He believed that ethical, aesthetic, and religious experiences fall into this latter category. These experiences are profoundly important, but attempting to articulate them in language inevitably distorts or misrepresents them. They are revealed through the way we live, not through what we say. The mystical, for Wittgenstein, is utterly beyond the grasp of language; it is a realm of absolute silence.

Critical Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses

The strength of Wittgenstein’s claim lies in its forceful critique of metaphysics. By highlighting the limitations of language, he challenged traditional philosophical attempts to speak about ultimate reality, God, or the meaning of life. He argued that many philosophical problems arise from the misuse of language – from attempting to say things that cannot be meaningfully said. This paved the way for Logical Positivism, which similarly sought to eliminate metaphysics through verificationism.

Counterarguments and Limitations

• The Problem of Silence: Critics argue that the very act of stating “Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent” is itself a statement about something beyond language, creating a paradox.
• The Role of Metaphor and Symbolism: Many argue that language *can* address profound experiences through metaphor, symbolism, and poetry, even if it cannot provide a literal, logical description. Think of religious parables or artistic expressions.
• Later Wittgenstein’s Shift: Wittgenstein himself later rejected the *Tractatus*’s rigid picture theory in his *Philosophical Investigations* (1953). He argued that meaning is not inherent in propositions but arises from their use in “language games” – social contexts. This later work suggests a more flexible view of language’s capabilities.
• The Value of Ineffable Experiences: Some philosophers contend that the ineffable – experiences that defy description – are precisely what give life meaning and value. To remain silent about them would be to impoverish our understanding of the human condition.

Implications for Philosophy and Beyond

Wittgenstein’s dictum had a profound impact on 20th-century philosophy, influencing movements like Logical Positivism and Ordinary Language Philosophy. It also resonated with existentialist thinkers who emphasized the limits of reason and the importance of subjective experience. Beyond philosophy, the statement has implications for art, religion, and our understanding of the human condition. It encourages humility in the face of the unknown and a recognition that some things may simply be beyond our ability to comprehend or articulate.

Early Wittgenstein (Tractatus)	Later Wittgenstein (Philosophical Investigations)
Language pictures reality; meaning is inherent in propositions.	Meaning arises from the use of language in social contexts ("language games").
Strict distinction between what can be said and what can only be shown.	More fluid view of language; emphasis on practical application.
Emphasis on logical analysis and the elimination of metaphysics.	Focus on the diversity of language use and the avoidance of essentialism.