Rethinking the notion of “tradition” from a wittgensteinian perspective

Abstract

The aim of this article is to show the potential of a heuristic approach for the analysis of the reproduction of meaning in practices –in short, of “tradition”–, which is based on the Wittgensteinian notion of “to follow a rule”. To this end, the article develops the ideas of a number of authors who have stressed the importance of certain aspects of the notion of “rule-following” for social analysis. This approach to conceiving of the reproduction of meaning leads us to “rethink” the way in which we understand tradition. The article will argue that we should forsake an old concept of inherited knowledge, as prejudices or ideologies that “constrain” people. Instead, we should consider tradition as “guidance” and “resources” for practice. Although we are not always aware of the principles that we follow, it is up to us to keep or to change them –if we can.