Peter Hacker

Peter Hacker is a philosopher known for his work on language and meaning, particularly in relation to Ludwig Wittgenstein's Private Language Argument. This argument asserts that a truly private language—one understood by only a single individual—is impossible. Hacker argues that language is inherently social and depends on shared practices and contexts. Without public criteria for meaning and understanding, private expressions lack significance. In essence, Hacker helps clarify the idea that language is not just a personal tool but a communal activity, where meaning arises through use within a society, rather than in isolation.