Wittgenstein on training: Comment on Norm Friesen's 'Training and Abrichtung': Wittgenstein as a tragic philosopher of education?. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Winch, Christopher
• Is Part Of: Educational philosophy and theory. Volume 51:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Wittgenstein -- Abrichtung -- Unterricht -- training -- learning; Education -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Teaching -- Periodicals; Éducation; Philosophie de l'éducation; Théorie de l'éducation; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 370.1
• DOI: 10.1080/00131857.2018.1427578
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-1857

Abstract

Abstract: The view of Wittgenstein as a 'tragic' philosopher of education is examined. Friesen's claim rests on an interpretation of the way in which Wittgenstein uses the German term 'Abrichtung'. This involves the claim that Wittgenstein saw training activities closely analogous to the breaking of an animal's will. Close examination of various of the later texts of Wittgenstein and comparison of the original German with the English translation does not bear out this claim. Wittgenstein used 'Abrichtung' and related terms in his own way and for his own purposes. The picture that emerges from an overview of Wittgenstein's use of these terms is that he sees training as a variegated rather than a single kind of activity.