Summary
This book argues that the meaning of a statement is determined by the method of its verification. Waismann contends that what makes a statement meaningful is not its relation to a supposed reality but rather the possibility of establishing its truth or falsity through empirical observation or logical deduction. He distinguishes between different kinds of meaning and how they relate to different methods of verification, emphasizing that the conditions for verifying a statement are inseparable from its meaning.
The book explores the relationship between language, logic, and experience, challenging traditional philosophical views that separate meaning from the means of its ascertainment. Readers will understand how empirical verifiability functions as a criterion for distinguishing sense from nonsense in scientific and everyday language, offering a specific approach to understanding meaning.
Key concepts
- Verifiability — The criterion for determining a statement's meaningfulness based on how it can be proven true or false.
- Conditions of verification — The specific empirical or logical procedures required to confirm or deny a statement's truth.
- Meaning — The set of conditions under which a statement is considered true.
From the book
Title: How I See Philosophy by Friedrich Waismann