ABSTRACT
McDowell makes use of a particular version of quietism and attempts to dissolve philosophical problems. Some of McDowell's claims, including those which concern second nature, for example, are in stark contrast with his claim to provide therapy and to exorcize questions in order to achieve peace for philosophy. Quietism involves exposing mistaken assumptions in pictures which have held us captive in their grip and, once we have realized the error of our way of seeing things, it puts forward new pictures. McDowell explicitly admits that Wittgenstein's aspiration, to see through the apparent need for ordinary philosophy, 'is not fantastic'. In response to criticism McDowell clarifies his position regarding his endeavours to relieve philosophical anxiety. McDowell's therapeutic quietism therefore retains the thought that gives rise to philosophical anxiety while showing how it can be acknowledged in a different manner which does not give rise to anxiety.
