Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Ideal language: An ideal language is a hypothetical language that is free from the ambiguities and vagueness of natural language. Some philosophers believe that an ideal language is necessary for doing philosophy properly, while others argue that it is not. See also Universal language, Formal language, Formalization, Ambiguity._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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G.W. Leibniz on Ideal Language - Dictionary of Arguments
Gadamer I 419 Universal Language/Ideal Language/Leibniz/Gadamer: The fundamental survey of the contingency of historical languages and the indeterminacy of their concepts would only be possible through mathematical symbolism: in the combinatorics of such a performed sign system - this was Leibniz's idea - new truths could be gained, which would be of mathematical certainty, because the "ordo" Gadamer I 420 depicted by such a sign system would have an equivalent in all languages.(1) >Language/Leibniz. Gadamer: It is probably clear that such a claim of the characteristica universalis to be an ars inveniendi, as Leibniz claims, is based precisely on the artificiality of this symbolism. It enables us to calculate, i.e. to find relations from the formal laws of combinatorics - regardless of whether experience leads us to corresponding contexts in things. Leibniz: For human reason, there is no higher adequacy of recognition than the notitia numerorum(2), and all calculation is based on the same pattern. GadamerVsLeibniz: [1.] But it is generally true that the imperfection of man does not permit adequate knowledge a priori and experience is indispensable. [2.] Knowledge through such symbols is not clear and distinct, because the symbol does not mean a vivid given. Such knowledge is "blind" in so far as the symbol takes the place of a real knowledge, indicating its availability alone. Leibniz: The ideal of language, which Leibniz pursues, is thus a "language" of reason, an analysis notionum, which, starting from the "first" concepts, would develop the whole system of true concepts and achieve the representation of the Universal of Being, as it would correspond to divine reason. GadamerVsLeibniz: In truth, this ideal makes it clear that language is something other than a mere sign system for designating the objective whole. The word is not only sign. In a sense that is difficult to grasp, it is also almost something like an image. One only needs to consider the extreme counter-possibility of a pure artificial language to recognize a relative right in such an archaic theory of language. The word is mysteriously bound to the "depicted", belonging to the being of the depicted. 1. Cf. Leibniz, Erdm. p. 77. 2. Leibniz, De cognitione, veritate et ideis (1684) Erdm., p. 79ff. 3. As is well known, already Descartes in his letter to Mersenne of November 20, 1629, which Leibniz knew, developed the idea of such a sign language of reason, which contained the whole of philosophy, on the model of the formation of number signs. A preform of this, admittedly in platonizing restriction of this idea, is already found in Nicolaus Cusanus, Idiota de mente Ill, cap. VI._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Lei II G. W. Leibniz Philosophical Texts (Oxford Philosophical Texts) Oxford 1998 Gadamer I Hans-Georg Gadamer Wahrheit und Methode. Grundzüge einer philosophischen Hermeneutik 7. durchgesehene Auflage Tübingen 1960/2010 Gadamer II H. G. Gadamer The Relevance of the Beautiful, London 1986 German Edition: Die Aktualität des Schönen: Kunst als Spiel, Symbol und Fest Stuttgart 1977 |
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> Counter arguments against Leibniz
> Counter arguments in relation to Ideal Language
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-19