Simply Wittgenstein - PDF free download eBook

Introduction

"This brief introduction to Wittgenstein's life and work presumes no previous knowledge on the reader's part. Yet Klagge shares with the reader little-known historical gems about...

Some brief overview of this book

"This brief introduction to Wittgenstein's life and work presumes no previous knowledge on the reader's part. Yet Klagge shares with the reader little-known historical gems about Wittgenstein's personal and intellectual life. Employing his extensive knowledge of Wittgenstein's correspondence and other biographical resources, Klagge shows the reader what Wittgenstein was sa "This brief introduction to Wittgenstein's life and work presumes no previous knowledge on the reader's part.

Yet Klagge shares with the reader little-known historical gems about Wittgenstein's personal and intellectual life. Employing his extensive knowledge of Wittgenstein's correspondence and other biographical resources, Klagge shows the reader what Wittgenstein was saying and writing to his friends at crucial points while developing his two major works: Tractatus and Philosophical Investigations. Klagge's own views affect how he presents the themes in those works, of course, but even readers who have already formulated views on Wittgenstein are bound to enjoy some of the new angles and biographical anecdotes he presents.

Klagge's engaging, non-combative style and agility with an extensive array of biographical resources are to thank for this little book on Wittgenstein being so accessible and readable". —Susan G. Sterrett, Curtis D.

Gridley Distinguished Professor of the History and Philosophy of Science, Wichita State University Born in Vienna into an extremely wealthy and highly cultured family, Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) grew up surrounded by art, music, and a disturbing amount of dysfunctional behavior. After studying mechanical engineering and developing an interest in aeronautics, he became obsessed with mathematics and logic, which led to his life's work exploring the relationship between language, philosophy, and reality. In Simply Wittgenstein, James Klagge presents a fascinating portrait of this brilliant and troubled man, while exploring his two extraordinary books—the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and Philosophical Investigations—in which he gave concrete form to his singular and perplexing ideas.

Drawing on 30 years of teaching about Wittgenstein at both the undergraduate and graduate level, Klagge provides a clear and accessible introduction to these seminal works, helping the reader understand the revolutionary nature of Wittgenstein's insights and the reason they continue to resonate in our own time.