Critiquing the Myth of the Given and the Rejection of Private Language – A Discussion Confined to the Theories of Sellars and Wittgenstein

Siqi Huang*
Tianfu College of SWUFE, Mianyang 621000, China
*Corresponding email: alice13146886@163.com
https://doi.org/10.71052/jsdh/HNMY6678

Both Wittgenstein and Sellars oppose psychologism. In his argument against “private language”, Wittgenstein dismantles the notion of an “inner, private something”, while Sellars, in his critique of the “Myth of the Given”, replaces immediate perceptual givenness with observation reports that are normatively structured and situated within the logical space of reasons. Although distinct in formulation, their theories exhibit significant conceptual affinities. This paper briefly outlines the core arguments of both thinkers and offers a critical commentary on their approaches.

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Share and Cite
Huang, S. (2025) Critiquing the Myth of the Given and the Rejection of Private Language – A Discussion Confined to the Theories of Sellars and Wittgenstein. Journal of Social Development and History, 1(6), 118-126. https://doi.org/10.71052/jsdh/HNMY6678

Published

06/03/2026