Write a paper (c. 7-8 pp. or 2100-2400 words) in which you address an interpretive question arising with regard to the Investigations.

Although such questions can take many forms, I encourage you to choose one that focuses on a specific remark (or part of one)—though you will likely consider other remarks in the course of considering this question. An interpretive question of this sort will take the form: “What does Wittgenstein mean here?” Much of the paper may be devoted to formulating this question and explaining how it arises.

Of course, you should also consider answers to your question, and I will ask that you consider at least two competing answers. The way you consider these may vary. You might devote the bulk of your paper to explaining and supporting one answer, considering one or more others only as possible objections. Or you might organize the paper as a consideration of what can be said of behalf of each of two possible answers, perhaps choosing one in the end and perhaps not. And patterns of organization somewhere between these two models are, of course, also possible.

Although I will not require you to discuss secondary literature (i.e., commentaries or journal literature) in the paper, you may—and I’d encourage you consult such material in formulating a question and developing possible answers to it. Remember that, in addition to the commentaries on reserve, there is a list of journal articles on the website. I will continue to add to that list over the next two weeks, but I’ll also be happy to help you locate secondary literature relevant to specific topics or remarks.

Although I’ll be willing to accept your essay on paper, I’d prefer that you send a copy by e-mail (either as an attachment or in the body of a message). My address is helmang@wabash.edu.