Just Joking

Language and Lingustic Analysis

(1) How Wittgenstein Teaches His Son

Little Ernie was having a problem with his homework.

“Dad,” he asked, “What is the difference between ‘anger’ and ‘exasperation’?”

“Well, son,” said his father, “I’ll give you a practical demonstration.”

His father picked up the phone and dialed a number.

“Hello,” said a voice at the other end.

“Hello,” said Ernie’s father. “Is Melvin there?”

“There is no one called Melvin here!” the voice replied. “Why don’t you look up numbers before you dial them?”

“You see?” said Ernie’s father. “That man was not at all happy with our call. But watch this!”

He then dialed the number again, and says, “Hello, is Melvin there?”

“Now look here!” the voice said angrily. “I told you there is no Melvin here! You have got a lot of nerve calling again!”

“Did you hear that?” Ernie’s father asked. “That was ‘anger’. Now, I will show you what ‘exasperation’ is!”

He dialed once again. And on hearing the voice at the other end, Ernie’s father said: “Hello! This is Melvin. Have there been any calls for me?”

*Well, the meaning is the use

When West and East Meet: Towards Philosophy with Global Perspective

East is East and West is West

And never the twain shall meet (Rudyard Kipling)

The two lines of Kipling’s above perhaps express precisely the attitude of westerners as himself towards West-East relation. This attitude prevails until now. For the newer example, Samuel Huntington with his “clash of civilization” thesis can be noted.

The same thing also happens in the field of philosophy. This is revealed by J. J. Clarke in the seventh chapter of his book, Oriental Enlightenment, entitled “Philosophical Encounters”. According to him, twentieth century Western philosophy tends to ignore Eastern thoughts. For instance, Marxism and Positivism see Eastern thoughts “only” as super-structure of pre-bourgeois societies or mystical pre-scientific believes.