The Truth Behind Practices : Wittgenstein, Robinson Crusoe and Ecclesiology

Insole, Christopher J.

Abstract

The Wittgensteinian claim that meaning is immanent to 'practices', influential in contemporary theology, is capable of two readings: the first takes `practice' to refer to the social activities of actual communities; the second implies no more than a way of going on that is in principle communicable. The first reading is palpably unattractive, both philosophically and exegetically; the second reading is much less ambitious, providing a plausible critique of empiricist theories of meaning. I suggest that it is the first implausible reading that is often at work in theological appropriations of Wittgenstein, such as we find in Stanley Hauerwas. I fill-out this claim by exploring — with an ear to Scripture — the implications for ecclesiology of adopting either of the two readings. I conclude by raising the alarm about two dangers: of being too Wittgensteinian in some respects, and not Wittgensteinian enough in others.

Citation

Insole, C. J. (2007). The Truth Behind Practices : Wittgenstein, Robinson Crusoe and Ecclesiology. Studies in Christian Ethics, 20(3), 364-382. https://doi.org/10.1177/0953946807082933

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2007
• Deposit Date: Jan 27, 2009
• Journal: Studies in Christian Ethics
• Print ISSN: 0953-9468
• Electronic ISSN: 1745-5235
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 364-382
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0953946807082933
• Keywords: Church, Community, Ecclesiology, Hauerwas, Practices, Truth, Theology, Wittgenstein.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1572097