Ineffable Propositions

Abstract

One of the main phenomenal characteristics of ineffable experiences is a feeling of meaningfulness: ineffable experiences often seem to afford some kind of insight. One way to make sense of this feeling is by arguing that such experiences consist in grasping an ineffable truth, or an ineffable proposition. In this chapter, we will examine whether there is reason to believe in ineffable propositions, and if so, whether ineffable propositions provide a good model for our three paradigmatic examples of ineffability: aesthetic ineffability (e.g., as experienced in the presence of a particular work of art), religious ineffability (e.g., as experienced during prayer), and philosophical ineffability (e.g., as experienced when reading the Tractatus’ paragraphs on the limits of thought (§5.61) or solipsism (§5.62)).