Words acquire meaning through their context from "summary" of Philosophical Investigations by Ludwig Wittgenstein
The meaning of a word is not something that is fixed and unchanging. Words do not have intrinsic meanings that exist independently of their use in language. Instead, the meaning of a word is determined by its context - the situation in which it is used, the other words that accompany it, and the intentions of the speaker. Consider the word "run." The meaning of this word can vary depending on the context in which it is used. If someone says "I went for a run this morning," the word "run" likely refers to a form of exercise. However, if someone says "I need to run to the store," the word "run" likely refers to moving quickly from one place to another. In each case, the meaning of the word is determined by the context in which it is used. This idea is further illustrated by the concept of language games. Language games are the various forms of language that are used in different social contexts. Each language game has its own set of rules and conventions that determine the meaning of words. For example, the language game of ordering food at a restaurant has different rules and conventions than the language game of discussing philosophy. In this way, the meaning of a word is not fixed or absolute, but is instead relative to the particular language game in which it is used. This means that words do not have one single, universal meaning, but can have different meanings depending on the context in which they are used. Furthermore, the meaning of a word can also be influenced by the intentions of the speaker. The speaker's tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language can all affect the meaning of the words they use. For example, if someone says "I'm fine" with a sad expression on their face, the meaning of the word "fine" is likely to be different than if it were said with a smile.- The idea that words acquire meaning through their context highlights the dynamic and flexible nature of language. Words do not have fixed meanings, but instead derive their meaning from the context in which they are used, the language game being played, and the intentions of the speaker.
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