RODRIGO CÉSAR CASTRO LIMA

My working hypothesis here is twofold. First, I will suggest that the Remarks on Frazer’s Golden Bough appear at the intersection of at least three ideas, which oppose Wittgenstein’s own philosophy and Weltanschauung: (i) the first point being that language games might be analyzed and understood outside of a (“vital” / “cultural”) practical context in which they are inserted; (ii) the notion that when all the problems of natural science are solved, there will be no more place for religion - the assumption that religion will be overcome by science; and (iii) the idea that there is a “universal grammar” related to religious practices, something hidden behind the superficial diversity of religious language games. Secondly, I will propose the hypothesis that it is exactly the examination - and also the “historical systematization” - under which Frazer submit “religious forms of life” what allows for the birth
of Wittgenstein’s main instruments (concepts) of analysis related to his second phase. The benefit of my view is that such a proposal could help to shed light on the transformation of Wittgenstein’s philosophical outlook during his “middle period”.