Synopses & Reviews
David Stern examines Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations in this new introduction to a classic philosophical text, paying particular attention to the arguments of the Investigations as well as the way in which the work is written, especially the role of dialogue. While he concentrates on helping readers interpret the primary text, he also provides guidance to the unusually wide range of existing interpretations, and why they have inspired such a diversity of readings.
Synopsis
In this new introduction to a classic philosophical text, David Stern examines Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations. His book is accessible to readers with no previous background in philosophy. It is well-suited to university-level courses on Wittgenstein, but can also be read with profit by students in other disciplines.
About the Author
David G. Stern is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Iowa. He is the author of Wittgenstein on Mind and Language (1995), editor of The Cambridge Companion to Wittgenstein (1996) and co-editor, with Béla Szabados, of Wittgenstein Reads Weininger: A Reassessment (2004).
Table of Contents
Introduction; 1. Philosophical Investigations §§1-693: an elementary exposition; 2. From the Tractatus to the Philosophical Investigations: two prefaces; 3. The opening of the Philosophical Investigations: the motto; 4. The critique of referential theories of meaning and the paradox of ostension: §§1-64; 5. The critique of rule-based theories of meaning and the paradox of explanation: §§65-133; 6. The critique of rule-based theories of meaning and the paradoxes of rule-following: §§134-242; 7. The critique of a private language and the paradox of inner ostension: §§243-315; Conclusion.