After Wittgenstein
Sir: Roger Scruton's review of two recent critiques of linguistic philo- sophy in the SPECTATOR (26 No- vember)-is scathing but his defence of linguistic philosophy is not ef- fective. -It is good to be reminded that Wittgenstein's achievements were comparable to those of Kent, Locke and St. Augustine. but this observation does not ensure that those who apply Wittgenstein's ap- proach in their professional activi- ties are philosophers of equal sta- ture: their results may not be as impressive.
Not everyone who might classify their professional activities as in part philosophical would also con- sider themselves to practise linguis- tic philosophy. Roger Scruton might well consider what is being done in the philosophy depart- ments of universities nowadays. in addition to editing and discussing the manuscripts which Wittgenstein left when he died in 1948.
Cynthia Hay 112 Wemyss Street, Rosyth, Fife
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