HYLAND
Lutyens, in turn, found Jefferson's plan for the University an
inspiration for his work at Delhi and elsewhere.
Another twentieth century classic on Nancy's Jefferson list
is from a different, yet not unrelated discipline, namely, the
philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein's
treatise on language, Philosophical
Investigations. A simplistic summary
of this recondite work might be the
proposition that the meaning of a
word is in its use. Jefferson was
no stranger to both the depths and
limitations of language. As author
of the Declaration of Independence
and a framer of the United States
Constitution, Jefferson was
well aware of language and its
ambiguities--which, if carelessly
or verbosely translated into law
may lead to deleterious real-world
consequences. I venture to say
that Jefferson would have been
fascinated by Wittgenstein, another
self-taught architect as well as philosopher. Jefferson and
Wittgenstein, no doubt, would both be appalled by the
sheer length, the grossly excessive wordiness, of recent
American laws and regulations passed regarding health and
finance, both fully aware that these new laws are hotbeds
for misinterpretation and corruption. Summum ius summum
inuria—the more law, the less justice.
