Synopses & Reviews
The nature of reason has always been a topic at the very heart of Western philosophy but the most famous philosopher of the twentieth century, Ludwig Wittgenstein, hardly ever discussed it. His work, though, does raise crucial questions about the subject. These questions are perhaps closest to the surface in his critique of Frazer’s
Golden Bough, his discussions of various philosophical aspects of religion, and the famous ‘rule-following considerations’ from his
Philosophical Investigations.
In this volume, prominent Wittgenstein scholars from the UK and continental Europe discuss these parts of Wittgenstein’s work, as well as his oeuvre in general, and its implications for the nature of reason. The volume features a translation of an important paper by the French Wittgenstein scholar Jacques Bouveresse, alongside six new papers by other contributors.
The volume will be of interest to scholars and students of any aspect of Wittgenstein’s work.
Review
“Taken as a whole, this volume provides an extremely valuable and critically astute examination of utterly fundamental issues that need serious attention and investigation in today's philosophical climate—it constitutes a 'must read'.” (
Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, February 2009)
“Preston (philosophy, Univ. of Reading) offers scholarly pieces that explore the connections in his work between reason and relativism, the reasonableness of religious belief, and Wittgenstein's notion of rule following. Recommended for academic research libraries.” (Library Journal, November 2008)
Synopsis
The nature of reason has always been a topic at the very heart of Western philosophy. But the most famous philosopher of the twentieth century, Ludwig Wittgenstein, hardly ever discussed it. His work, though, does raise crucial questions about the subject. These questions are perhaps closest to the surface in his critique of Frazer's Golden Bough, his discussions of various philosophical aspects of religion, and the famous 'rule-following considerations' from his Philosophical Investigations.
In this volume, prominent Wittgenstein scholars from the UK and continental Europe discuss these parts of Wittgenstein's work, as well as his oeuvre in general, and its implications for the nature of reason. The volume contains features a translation of an important paper by the French Wittgenstein scholar Jacques Bouveresse, alongside six new papers by other contributors.
The volume will be of interest to scholars and students of any aspect of Wittgenstein's work.
Synopsis
This volume discusses Wittgenstein's work, as well as his oeuvre in general, and its implications for the nature of reason.Investigates the nature of reason which has always been a topic at the very heart of Western philosophyAnalyses how Wittgenstein raised crucial questions about the subject - most notably in his critique of Frazer's Golden Bough, his discussions of various philosophical aspects of religion, and the famous 'rule-following considerations' from his Philosophical InvestigationsContributors include prominent Wittgenstein scholars from the UK and continental Europe including Hanjo Glock, Genia Schonbaumsfeld, Severin Schroeder Joachim Schulte and Crispin WrightContains a translation of an important paper by the French Wittgenstein scholar Jacques Bouveresse, alongside six new papers by other contributors
Synopsis
This volume discusses Wittgenstein’s work, as well as his oeuvre in general, and its implications for the nature of reason.
- Investigates the nature of reason which has always been a topic at the very heart of Western philosophy
- Analyses how Wittgenstein raised crucial questions about the subject - most notably in his critique of Frazer’s Golden Bough, his discussions of various philosophical aspects of religion, and the famous ‘rule-following considerations’ from his Philosophical Investigations
- Contributors include prominent Wittgenstein scholars from the UK and continental Europe including Hanjo Glock, Genia Schönbaumsfeld, Severin Schroeder Joachim Schulte and Crispin Wright
- Contains a translation of an important paper by the French Wittgenstein scholar Jacques Bouveresse, alongside six new papers by other contributors
About the Author
John Preston is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Reading.
Table of Contents
1. Wittgenstein’s Critique of Frazer: Jacques Bouveresse (Collège de France).
2. Relativism, Commensurability and Translatability: Hans-Johann Glock (Universität Zürich).
3. ‘Back to the Rough Ground!’ Wittgensteinian Reflections on Rationality and Reason: Jane Heal (St John's College, Cambridge).
4. Worlds or Words Apart? Wittgenstein on Understanding Religious