Naturalism and Wittgenstein

On the problem of Rule-Following

Abstract

In the controversy opened with the 'Kripke shock', over how to interpret and evaluate Wittgenstein's rule-following considerations, C.McGinn made a unique contribution. He reads Wittgenstein from his standpoint of naturalism, and thereby, makes us recognize that it is fruitful for a naturalist to treat Wittgenstein as a partner of dialogue: that is, anyone who tries to give a naturalist explanation of language-understanding, rationality and mind, can find in Wittgenstein's text insights which can inspire him, and arguments which give him problems. But I think, with regret, in spite of his contribution, McGinn doesn't rightly evaluate those treasures for a naturalist in the text. So, I discuss in this paper, the real worth of Wittgenstein's thinking for a naturalist, criticizing McGinn.