On the exhaustion criterion of difficulty, with Wittgenstein, Robert Graves, and Kripke

Abstract

The philosopher and builder Ludwig Wittgenstein remarks that architecture is more difficult than philosophy. He suggests an exhaustion criterion for how difficult a discipline is: a field is more difficult the more exhausting it is. I make a case against this claim. There was once a demand to prevent the Greek myths from establishing themselves in the curriculum by means of “our own rival myths.” It is difficult to compete with a renowned Greek myth, but if one does produce a rival, it may well not be exhausting to do so.

Author's Profile

Terence Rajivan Edward
University of Manchester (PhD)

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2022-10-07

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