The Linguistic Turn in Philosophy

The linguistic turn represents a significant shift in philosophical thought that began in the early 20th century, emphasizing the centrality of language in shaping our understanding of reality. This movement was a response to the frustrations with 19th-century metaphysical speculations, aiming instead to clarify philosophical issues through rigorous linguistic analysis. Philosophers like Bertrand Russell and G.E. Moore were instrumental in this transition, advocating for an approach that prioritized clear definitions and logical precision over abstract speculation. The shift also led to the perception that many classical philosophical inquiries could be reframed as issues of language rather than enduring metaphysical debates.