On the Meaning of Words in Early Modern Legal Theory and Theory of Language

Abstract

In the middle of the 20th century, Ludwig Wittgenstein developed the thought that the meaning of a word is its »use in language«. In fact, in the late 17th century, this idea was absolutely dominant and undisputed. In contrast to older theories, the first conferral of meaning (imposition) and etymology were no longer considered decisive. The reason for the transition to the usage theory was the awareness of the historicity, i. e. the changeability, of language. Furthermore, the authority of a linguistic creator was now considered relevant only in technical languages, but not in colloquial language. This was possibly due to the rise of the vernacular languages.