Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Ali Sadeghi ¹
• Reza Akbari ²

¹ PhD student at the Institute of Humanities and Cultural Studies

² Professor of Imam Sadegh University

Abstract

Within Tractatus and other works related to Wittgenstein's early philosophy, the concept of "nonsense" is a central one and of great importancem which was the subject of several interpretations. Among them, traditional (metaphysical) interpretation is a lasting one which P.M.S. Hacker, G.E.M. Anscombe and Hans-Johann Glock are its major figures. According to this interpretation, Wittgenstein maintains that there are a kind of truth which are "ineffable", including ethical and religious truths. Also, there are commentators who has used this kind of truth to conclude that Wittgenstein could (or should) be considered as continuing the negative theology tradition.
In this paper, after articulation of traditional interpretation, the relation between Wittgenstein and negative theology will be studied. In the end, we will pose some critical remarks to show that, despite some priliminary similarities, not only Wittgenstein's philosophy has nothing to do with negative theology, but it is in a totally different direction than negative theology, even against it.

Keywords

• Early Wittgenstein
• Nonsense
• Traditional Interpretation
• Ineffable Truths
• Negative Theology