Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The apparently disjointed structure of Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations has often been taken as a license for interpreting passages out of context. As a result, numerous articles and books have appeared which pay little attention to the actual text.
Robert Arrington and Hans-Johann Glock show how important it is to consider the arguments which specify or authorize particular readings of certain passages. The essays in this volume approach the Investigations with the conviction that prior to pronouncements of the relevance or tenability of certain remarks, one must carefully consider Wittgenstein's text itself and locate the puzzling passages in their contexts in order to understand and appreciate them. A lively debate emerges as authors differ in their assessments of the philosophical value of their material; some try to show that careful interpretations reveal valuable insights into prima facie untenable passages, while others conclude that certain remarks fail to resolve the issues they address.
Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations is a major contribution to the study of this work as well as the whole of Wittgenstein's thought. It will be essential and fascinating reading for those who study this great thinker.
Synopsis
First published in 1992. Although there is a vast amount of secondary literature on the Philosophical Investigations, very little exists which considers the exegesis of this important text. The apparently disjointed structure of the book has often been taken as a licence for interpreting passages out of context. This collection shows how important it is to consider the arguments which specify or authorise particular readings of certain passages.
The essays are by distinguished Wittgenstein scholars. All approach the Investigations with the conviction that prior to pronouncements of the relevance or tenability of certain remarks one must always carefully consider Wittgenstein's text itself and locate the puzzling passages in their (immediate or original) contexts. Diverse exegetical approaches are represented; while some believe that the Investigations can be read as an independent text, others find it essential to look at the context of a particular remark, or of variations on it, in Wittgenstein's other texts. A lively debate emerges as authors differ in their assessment of the philosophical value of their material; some try to show that careful interpretations reveal valuable insights into prima facie untenable passages, others conclude that certain remarks fail to resolve the issues they address.
This is the first strictly exegetical collection of papers on the Investigations. It is a major contribution to the study of not only this work, but of Wittgenstein's thought and an important strand of twentieth century philosophy.
Synopsis
First published in 1992. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
Synopsis
The first strictly exegetical collection of papers on Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations. The distinguished contributors highlight the differences of approach on how the Investigations should be read.