简析维特根斯坦关于可能性的理解

前后期维特根斯坦对可能性(即可能情形)给出了两种截然不同的分析。前期给特根斯坦认为,可能性是一种独立于语言表现的、虽然没有实现出来但却(现实地)存在的事态。因而,可能性可以说是一种“影子式的实在(现实)”。后期维特根斯坦则认为,可能性并非是一种独立于语方表现的存在物,“某某事项是可能的”这种说法只是意味着“关于某某事项的语言表现合乎相关的语法规则”而已。

A Brief Analysis of Wittgenstein's Interpretation of Possibility

Ludwig Wittgenstein gives two completely different interpretations of "possibility" in his early life and in his later life. Wittgenstein in his early life holds that possibility is a state in (actual) existence which has not been achieved and is separate from linguistic expression while actuality is a state in (actual) existence which has been achieved and is separate from linguistic expression. Thus, possibility can be regarded as "shadow-like actuality". In his later life, Wittgenstein holds that possibility is not a being independent of linguistic expression and "something is possible" only means that "the linguistic expression of something suits the corresponding grammatical rules".