Wittgenstein

by A.C. Grayling

Book Overview

Ludwig Wittgenstein was an extraordinarily original philosopher, whose influence on 20th-century thinking goes well beyond philosophy itself. In this short, non-technical introduction to Wittgenstein's thought, Grayling describes both his early and his later philosophy, the differences and connections between them, and their effect on contemporary thought.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192876775
• ISBN13: 9780192876775
• Release Date: June 1988
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

The little voice in my head says, "read it..."

The criteria for what make these sorts of books successful is whether they can cover a significant amount of information in a brief enough form and still be comprehensible. By this yardstick, I'd say that *Wittgenstein: A Very Short Introduction* does, indeed succeed. A little biographical info on Ludwig, a section each on his early and later work, some critical remarks, and, a final summation...then you're sent off on your own to pursue further study--or not, as you choose. Grayling also successfully walks that dangerous tightrope between rendering the life's work of a notoriously difficult philosopher into readily digestible bite-sized chunks for the reasonably intelligent adult...and pureeing them into the intellectual equivalent of babyfood. Grayling is no big fan of Wittgenstein, certainly no fawning apostle, as is made clear in his closing remarks (in which he doubts whether history will even regard W as a major philosopher), if it isn't already clear to the reader by the critical challenges Grayling makes to W's philosophy earlier in this book. However, I don't think Grayling's lack of adulation gets in the way of the book's general purpose (to inform the reader of what Wittgenstein had to say); in fact, if anything, I found Grayling's objections stimulating, if, by the way, largely unpersuasive. In any event, they encourage the reader's active engagement with the ideas under discussion, which is something to be applauded; after all, philosophy should be engaging; ideas should stimulate, thought should matter enough to be reason for debate...or what's the point? So there you have it. A nice, neat, very (very) short (120-pages in the used edition I have) introduction to Ludwig Wittgenstein. If you're interested in this brainy dude, I say go for it. This book is a good place to start.

A gem!

This book is astounding! I have never before encountered a short introduction that so clearly, concisely, accurately or effectively communicates a complex and largely obscure subject. As a result, this book is a remarkable achievement in its own right, not only illuminating the mysteries of Wittgenstein's very difficult work, but doing so in a way that will serve as a timeless model of successful communication. That is not to say that this book is `easy' or that Wittgenstein's complex ideas have been made simple. I only say that the author has presented those ideas in ways that put them within the reach of intelligent readers who are prepared to work in exchange for a very gratifying intellectual return. With Grayling as a guide, Wittgenstein is accessible! Incredible!

Brief Introduction to Wittgenstein's Life & Work

Interesting short biography of Wittgenstein putting his life into perspective with his work. He was a complex personality & figure. Brief central ideas of his in the logic realm are set forward. This book is very helpful to have if you are just beginning the study of Wittgenstein and his works. Wittgenstein was a staunch intellectual with an introverted, torn personal background. Initially from a well to do German family with plenty of money he later led life almost as a hermit becoming isolated and depressed much of the time. He received some recognition from Bertrand Russell at Cambridge who promoted his Tractatus, helping him later to obtain a position at Cambridge as a Lecturer in Philosophy. Because of unhappiness and personality differences he prematurely resigned that position in the UK. He worked for a while in building and construction, as well as in architecture. The sad news really is he did not receive the well deserved praise and success of his works. Nor did Wittgenstein become a successful academic in his lifetime. Perhaps to put his work in perspective, one should have Russell's books, volume 1 of Principia Mathematica by Whitehead, and Frege's Introduction to Logic to begin to tackle the complex thought laced throughout Tractatus Logico Philosophicus. On Certainty is useful to look at for Wittgenstein's viewpoints on propositions and truth. This book is definitely helpful for the Philosophy student.

A lucid introduction to Wittgenstein

Even though I have an undergraduate degree in philosophy, I did not study Wittgenstein as a student. After receiving a degree in law and devoting two decades to building a law practice, I once again returned to philosophy, and attempted to read Wittgenstein's "Tractatus" and "Philosophical Investigations." I was at a loss. I simply did not understand what Wittgenstein was trying to say. I then read Grayling's brief introduction to Wittgenstein, which provided a foundation for returning to the original texts. Grayling's "Wittgenstein" proved invaluable to understanding Wittgenstein, and I recommend that anyone approaching Wittgenstein for the first time read Grayling's essay before reading Wittgenstein's texts.

A good deal more lucid than Wittgenstein himself.

A.C. Grayling, also the author of the highly recommended _An Introduction to Philosophical Logic_, here provides a short, easily readable, and surprisingly lucid introduction to the thought of Ludwig Wittgenstein. Anyone who has tried to read Wittgenstein himself will find Grayling's clear exposition a blessed relief. And Grayling's conclusions are very insightful; he has a keen eye for the contradictions inherent in Wittgenstein's theorizing about doing away with theorizing, and he is altogether skeptical that Wittgenstein's influence on analytic philosophy has been as great as some have maintained. Grayling's closing personal view of Wittgenstein's contributions is too delightful to omit: "the journey through Wittgenstein's circuitous, metaphorical, sometimes opaque negations and suggestions is long; but the distance it takes one is short.'