ABSTRACT
In §§89-133 of the Philosophical Investigations Wittgenstein appears to reject the traditional view that philosophy is a cognitive discipline, that is, one that could result in knowledge expressed in true propositions.2 No part of the Investigations has caused more irritation. Often Wittgenstein’s attitude is understood as a rejection of science and an expression of a deep-rooted irrationalism.3 But, I shall argue, this reaction is misguided. For whilst it is true that Wittgenstein was personally hostile towards the scientific spirit of the age (CV pp. 6-7), this ideological attitude can be separated from his methodological position. The latter does not condemn science but scientism, the imperialist tendencies of scientific thinking. Wittgenstein insists that philosophy cannot adopt the tasks or methods of science (cf. e.g. CV p. 16).4
