Article: HUMAN BEHAVIOR AS LANGUAGE: SOME THOUGHTS ON WITTGENSTEIN

ABSTRACT: Language has been traditionally considered as a special psychological or behavioral phenomenon, with a logical status similar to other phenomena such as learning, memory, and thinking. Based on Wittgenstein's notion of language game, I argue that language is not limited to a psychological phenomenon, but rather it constitutes the functional dimensions under which human behavior develops and becomes meaningful. I propose three dimensions of language relevant to human behavior: a) as a medium, b) as an instrument, and c) as a form of life.

Key words: Wittgenstein, language game, behavior, form of life

Psychology, in its endeavor to understand human behavior, has been involved in the ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!