Paper Summary:

In this paper, it is shown that the ever-changing cycle of language over a variety of cultures present relativism as the main argument for language games in the work of Wittgenstein and Descartes. Invariably both philosophers agree on relativism as a basis for understanding language, but differ greatly on how to perceive meaning. The paper shows that although Descartes presents reasoning as the key aspect of language that imparts greater status to human beings, he cannot provide any real hard evidence to decry the ostensive nature of words that Wittgenstein imparts on language.

From the Paper:

"This philosophical study will examine the relativism that resides in language games that are discusses in the writings of Ludwig Wittgenstein and Renee Descartes. By analyzing the various elements of Wittgenstein's "ostensive' relativistic approach to word meaning in language, one can realize how this compares to Descartes' relativism in declining real meaning at all in language games. In essence, one can compare and contrast the relativism associated with language games within the philosophical concepts brought forth by these philosophers. Ludwig Wittgenstein evaluates language through the concept of "ostensive" approaches to language. This form of relativism defines language as a meaning that is defined by a certain culture or belief, which cannot truly verify meaning through societal and ethnic bias."

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