On the use of simile and paradox in Wittgenstein’s Tractatus and in Buddhism

Tomaso Pignocchi

doi:10.4396/06202307

Tomaso Pignocchi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4396/06202307

Keywords: Wittgenstein, Buddhism, Paradox, Similes, Contradiction

Abstract

The use of paradoxical similes is a common feature in both the philosophical works of Wittgenstein and the Buddhist scriptures. By using paradoxes, these thinkers seek to shake our preconceived notions of reality and challenge us to view things in a new way. For Wittgenstein, paradoxical similes were a means of conveying the limitations of language and the difficulty of expressing certain ideas and sensations. By presenting us with seemingly contradictory statements, he prompts us to rethink the meaning of words and concepts. Similarly, in Buddhist scriptures, paradoxical similes are used to help practitioners understand complex concepts such as emptiness and non-self. While the use of paradoxical similes can be confusing at first, their power lies in their ability to deconstruct and challenge our assumptions about reality. By embracing contradictions and paradoxes, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world around us and ourselves.

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