Wittgenstein's Language Games

Wittgenstein's concept of language games suggests that meaning arises from how language is used in various contexts, much like different games have their own rules. Instead of seeing words as having fixed meanings, he argued that understanding is grounded in the specific activities and social practices we engage in when using language. Each "game" represents a unique context—like asking questions, giving orders, or making jokes—where meaning can shift based on the situation. This highlights the dynamic and multifaceted nature of communication, emphasizing that understanding words involves recognizing their role within particular interactions.