Wilfrid Sellars and the Foundations of Normativity: A Comprehensive Guide to the Philosopher's Landmark Work

Wilfrid Sellars (1912-1989) was an American philosopher who made significant contributions to the fields of ethics, metaphysics, and the philosophy of language. His work on the foundations of normativity is considered one of his most important and influential contributions to philosophy.

Wilfrid Sellars and the Foundations of Normativity

by Clare Swatman

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In this comprehensive guide, we will explore Sellars' key concepts, philosophical influences, and the enduring impact of his theories on contemporary philosophy. We will also delve into the essential elements of Sellars' philosophical framework and gain a deeper understanding of his influential contributions to the field.

Sellars' Key Concepts

Sellars' work on the foundations of normativity is centered around a number of key concepts, including:

• Normativity: Sellars argued that normativity is a fundamental feature of reality. He believed that there are objective moral facts and that these facts are not reducible to non-normative facts.
• The myth of the given: Sellars argued that there is no such thing as a "given" reality that is independent of our conceptual framework. He believed that all of our experience is mediated by our concepts and that there is no way to access reality apart from our conceptual framework.
• The space of reasons: Sellars argued that reasons are not objective facts. Rather, they are subjective states of mind that are caused by our beliefs and desires. He believed that the space of reasons is a social space and that our reasons are shaped by our interactions with others.

Philosophical Influences on Sellars

Sellars' work was influenced by a number of philosophers, including:

• Ludwig Wittgenstein: Sellars was deeply influenced by Wittgenstein's work on language and meaning. He adopted Wittgenstein's view that language is a social practice and that the meaning of words is determined by their use in everyday life.
• G.E. Moore: Sellars was also influenced by Moore's work on ethics. He agreed with Moore that ethical statements are not reducible to non-ethical statements and that there are objective moral facts.
• J.L. Austin: Sellars was influenced by Austin's work on speech acts. He adopted Austin's view that speech acts are not simply descriptions of the world but rather actions that have real effects in the world.

The Enduring Impact of Sellars' Work

Sellars' work on the foundations of normativity has had a profound impact on contemporary philosophy. His ideas have been influential in a number of fields, including:

• Ethics: Sellars' work has helped to revive interest in the objectivity of moral values. His arguments against the myth of the given have led many philosophers to question the idea that there is a sharp divide between facts and values.
• Metaphysics: Sellars' work has helped to challenge the traditional distinction between the natural and the normative. His arguments for the normativity of reality have led many philosophers to reconsider the nature of reality itself.
• Philosophy of language: Sellars' work has helped to show that the philosophy of language is not just a matter of analyzing the meaning of words. Rather, it is a matter of understanding the role that language plays in our lives and in the world.

Wilfrid Sellars was one of the most important and influential philosophers of the twentieth century. His work on the foundations of normativity has had a profound impact on contemporary philosophy. His ideas continue to be debated and discussed today and they remain a source of inspiration for philosophers and scholars around the world.