Inspired by Dr. Michael Sugrue’s lecture, “Augustine and the Christian Self“
At first glance, Ludwig Wittgenstein, the 20th-century philosopher known for his work on language and logic, and St. Augustine, the 4th-century Christian theologian and philosopher, may seem to have little in common. Their historical contexts, intellectual pursuits, and primary concerns were vastly different. However, a closer examination reveals intriguing parallels between their philosophies, particularly in their reflections on language, meaning, and the limits of human understanding. In this blog post, we’ll explore the surprising similarities between Wittgenstein and St. Augustine, and how their ideas intersect in meaningful ways.
Language and Meaning: The Heart of the Matter
Both Wittgenstein and St. Augustine grappled with the nature of language and its relationship to meaning, though they approached the subject from different angles. Wittgenstein’s early work, particularly in Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, and his later Philosophical Investigations, can be juxtaposed with St. Augustine’s reflections in his Confessions, where he discusses how language shapes our understanding of the world.
- Wittgenstein’s Picture Theory of Language: In his early work, Wittgenstein proposed the “picture theory of language,” suggesting that words function as pictures of reality. According to this view, language mirrors the world, and meaning arises from the correspondence between words and the objects or states of affairs they represent. Wittgenstein later critiqued and revised this view, moving towards an understanding of language as a series of “language games” shaped by the rules and practices of specific forms of life.
- St. Augustine’s Theory of Language Acquisition: In Confessions, St. Augustine describes how he learned language as a child by observing others and associating words with objects and actions. He suggests that words derive their meaning from their use in particular contexts, a view that closely aligns with Wittgenstein’s later philosophy. Augustine’s insights into how language functions in practice anticipated Wittgenstein’s later emphasis on the pragmatic and contextual nature of meaning.
- The Limits of Language: Both thinkers were keenly aware of the limitations of language. Wittgenstein famously concluded his Tractatus with the proposition: “Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent,” acknowledging that language has boundaries beyond which it cannot meaningfully extend. Similarly, St. Augustine recognized that human language is often inadequate to fully capture divine realities or the depth of human experience. For both philosophers, language is both a tool for understanding and a barrier to fully grasping certain truths.
The Role of the Inner Life
Another point of convergence between Wittgenstein and St. Augustine is their focus on the inner life—the thoughts, intentions, and emotions that define human existence. Both philosophers explored the tension between the inner and outer aspects of experience, particularly how inner states are expressed (or fail to be expressed) through language.
- Wittgenstein and Private Language: In his later work, Wittgenstein famously critiqued the notion of a “private language,” a language that could be understood by only one individual. He argued that language is inherently social and that the meanings of words depend on their public use. However, this does not diminish the importance of the inner life; rather, it highlights the challenge of communicating internal experiences to others.
- St. Augustine’s Confessions: St. Augustine’s Confessions is a deeply introspective work, exploring his inner struggles, his journey towards faith, and his relationship with God. Augustine was profoundly aware of the complexity of the inner life and the difficulty of expressing it fully through language. Like Wittgenstein, Augustine recognized that there are aspects of human experience that resist easy articulation, yet he endeavored to express them as best as he could.
- The Ineffable and the Expressible: Both Wittgenstein and St. Augustine grappled with the idea that some aspects of reality are ineffable—beyond the reach of language. For Wittgenstein, this included ethical and aesthetic experiences, as well as the mystical. For Augustine, the ineffable primarily concerned the divine and the mysteries of faith. In both cases, language serves as a bridge to these realms, but it is a bridge that can never fully span the gap between the expressible and the inexpressible.
The Ethical Dimension: Life and Practice
Despite their different backgrounds, both Wittgenstein and St. Augustine emphasized the importance of ethics and the practical dimension of philosophy. For them, philosophy was not merely an intellectual exercise but a way of life, concerned with how one ought to live.
- Wittgenstein’s Ethical Concerns: Wittgenstein’s work, particularly in his later years, reflects a deep concern with ethics, though he often approached it obliquely. He believed that philosophy should clarify our thinking and help us live more authentic lives. Wittgenstein’s focus on the ordinary, on paying attention to the details of everyday life, can be seen as an ethical practice—an attempt to live honestly and attentively.
- St. Augustine’s Ethical Life: Augustine’s entire philosophical project was rooted in his ethical and spiritual concerns. His Confessions is as much a moral and spiritual autobiography as it is a philosophical treatise. Augustine sought to align his life with his understanding of the divine, and his reflections on sin, grace, and redemption are deeply ethical in nature. Like Wittgenstein, Augustine saw philosophy as a guide to living well, not just thinking well.
- Philosophy as Therapy: Both philosophers saw philosophy as a form of therapy, a means of addressing the confusion and distress that can arise from misunderstanding language, self, and the world. Wittgenstein’s later work in Philosophical Investigations is often described as therapeutic, as he sought to dissolve philosophical problems by clarifying how language functions. Similarly, Augustine’s writings can be seen as a form of spiritual therapy, aimed at healing the soul and aligning it with God.
Conclusion: Two Paths, One Destination
Ludwig Wittgenstein and St. Augustine may have lived in different eras and focused on different concerns, but their philosophical journeys share striking similarities. Both grappled with the nature of language, the limits of human understanding, the importance of the inner life, and the ethical dimensions of philosophy. Despite their differences, they converged on the idea that language, while powerful, is limited in its ability to capture the full scope of reality, and that philosophy should ultimately serve as a guide for living a good and meaningful life.
Their works remind us that the quest for understanding—whether through logic, language, or faith—is a deeply human endeavor that transcends time and context. Wittgenstein and Augustine, each in their own way, illuminate the path toward greater clarity, humility, and wisdom in our thinking and living.
Cross College 
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