Wittgenstein on the Possibility of Philosophy: The Importance of an Intercultural Approach

Abstract

Can we find an approach to philosophical problems that goes beyond the limitations of
our language and culture? Wittgenstein's remarks on the myths in our language and the
temptations of grammar seem to provide a purely negative answer to this question. But
a closer reading reveals that in his middle and later philosophy, Wittgenstein
developed an approach which opens up a feasible way. It is an intercultural approach,
for two reasons. First, the relation of the concepts of an imagined culture to our
own plays a crucial role. Second, the philosopher's point of view is neither on the
side of the one or the other culture, nor above them. It is a point of view between,
›inter‹, the cultures. It enables the treatment of philosophical problems not
detached from our language and culture, but beyond it.