Words – Part 2
Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language. It is not humanly possible to gather immediately from our words what the logic of our language is. Language disguises thought. If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world. If a lion could speak we would not understand him.
The limits of language is best exemplified in ethics. The issues that matter most to us and have the greatest significance lie outside the scope of language. Ethics, morals, values, the meaning of life, the existence of the universe as a whole, these are all questions that can be settled neither by observation nor logic.
Ultimately, our solutions to logical problems with language must be neat because they set the standard of neatness. And, at the limit of reasons comes our persuasion. I act with complete certainty, but this certainty is my own.
Words to live by?,…….thoughts belonging to Ludwig Wittgenstein, a philospoher like few others in the history of ideas. Recall his friendship with Elizabeth Anscombe, an anti-determinist, anti-consequentialist of prodigious insight, a devoutly religious intellectual who despite some profound disagreements with Wittgenstein, befriended him, and expertly translated his works for the Western world.
Wittgenstein’s conclusion from the epic Tractatus – “Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must remain silent.” To which Ms. Anscombe adroitly commented – “But who is allowed to speak, and who must be silent?”
Think of that re: the composition of “expert panels” at healthcare meetings. Why were they chosen?,……Who is being excluded?,……Who actually represents the interests of dissent, and concerns of variant cultures?
The two largest expenses of early childhood are NICU hospitalizations and downstream expenses, and well-child care. Extremely premature infants (who survive the NICU experience) have extensive health needs even when not neurodevelopmentally impaired (attached Rysavy et al),…….and group well-child care may offer valuable efficiencies (attached Gaskin et al).
Joe Kaempf, MD
District VIII Oregon Representative
Portland, OR
Volume 13, Number 16