How to Read Wittgenstein
by Ray Monk
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Though Wittgenstein wrote on the same subjects that dominate the work of other analytic philosophies - the nature of logic, the limits of language, the analysis of meaning - he did so in a peculiarly poetic style that separates his work sharply from that of his peers and makes the question of how to read him particularly pertinent. At the root of Wittgenstein's thought, Ray Monk argues, is a determination to resist the scientism characteristic of our age, a determination to insist on the show more integrity and the autonomy of nonscientific forms of understanding. The kind of understanding we seek in philosophy, Wittgenstein tried to make clear, is similar to the kind we might seek of a person, a piece of music, or, indeed, of a poem. -- from back cover. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This was a really marvelous little book--it really broke down Wittengenstein's arguments and made me excited to try to actually engage with Wittgenstein's writings on my own, especially the later stuff. I think the parts explaining Wittegenstein's earlier work was not as clear to me, which I'm gonna call a me thing and not a problem with Monk's writing or explanation. The later work though felt much more clear to me through Monk's explanations, and I found the chapter on language games to be particularly helpful and interesting! I definitely feel better equipped to try to go forth and read Wittgenstein's actual works after this, which means it did its job!
Great introduction to the works of Ludwig Wittgenstein, a notoriously difficult philosopher. The works are addressed in eleven short chapters that provide guidance to those interested in reading the major texts. A helpful bibliography of suggestions for further reading is appended to the text.
Monk provides an excellent introduction to Wittgenstein and the controversy surrounding his scholarship. For a philosopher with so little output he left quite a mark and after reading this slim book I feel more prepared to enter his oeuvre with a well informed understanding.
An excellent introduction to Wittgenstein. The "How to Read" series quotes primary source to illuminate the central ideas of the thinker in a clear manner. Hats off to Ray Monk for a fine job.
This is a clearly written and illuminating introduction to Wittgenstein's ideas.
Concise overview of Wittgenstein’s theory and contradictions in declaring all philosophical thought as nonsensical.
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- Ludwig Wittgenstein
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