Hick's Wittgenstein

One might contend that a clear distinction can be drawn between John Hick and Ludwig Wittgenstein based on the conventional dichotomy of realist versus anti-realist perspectives on religious language. Although Wittgenstein never devoted an entire work to religion, he mentioned it throughout his writings and discussions with others. Some of his remarks even closely align with Hick’s perspectives. Hick, on the other hand, formulated his pluralistic hypothesis of religion by extending Wittgenstein's concept of “seeing-as” into the broader notion that “all experiencing is experiencing-as.” He further integrated this perspective with Wittgenstein’s ideas of "family resemblance" and “language-game.” However, Hick’s use of Wittgensteinian notions also lead to some issues that need to be considered. This chapter examines how Hick interprets and uses Wittgenstein’s theories within his approach to religious pluralism. It begins by explaining the origins and significance of Wittgenstein’s concept of “seeing-as,” then assesses how Hick has expanded on this idea. The discussion then explores how Wittgenstein’s concepts of seeing-as, language-game, and family resemblance contribute to refining Hick’s pluralistic hypothesis. Essentially, Hick presents Wittgenstein as interpreted through his own perspective, employing this adaptation to advance his theories concerning religious epistemology and religious pluralism