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A Study on Wittgenstein's Wonder as a Mode of Silence and Communication -Focused on the Tractatus and “A Lecture on Ethics”-

Kim Hwa Kyung 1

1경기대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study aims to analyze the changes of Wittgenstein’s viewpoint on the understanding of the term ‘wonder’, and it wants to give an overview of Wittgenstein’s dynamic stream of thoughts on the meaning of language and behavior. In the logical thinking of the Tractatus, Wittgenstein’s wonder draws a boundary between the limitations of language and the world, and leads us to the ultimate goal of his philosophy through 'silence' about unspeakable mysteries. The wonder here means a contemplative ‘wonder as a mode of silence.’ However, Wittgenstein describes the wonders of the existence of the world by analogy with an 'Excellent Experience' in his writing "A Lecture on Ethics" and reveals the opportunity to gain linguistic access to mystical things provided that we look at the world as a miracle. The term 'wonder' here refers to 'wonder as a mode of communication'. It denotes an understanding of the ethical things which are subject to silence in relation to human life, history, and culture, and it is translated into an anthropological thinking of the language. This shift of the viewpoint on ‘wonder’ shows the originality and continuity of Wittgenstein’s philosophy in that it constitutes the beginning of a new tradition of encountering foreign cultures while acknowledging the old tradition of our cultural heritage. Ultimately the merit of this study would be to reveal a path of meaningful thinking which arises from the path to the liberation of the spirit of Wittgenstein. He, as a human being, initiated it by constantly seeking communication with the world through the establishment of a series of successive relationships leading to the concepts ‘wonder’, ‘silence’, ‘speaking’ and ‘doing.’

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.