Wittgenstein: A Philosophical Biography

Introduction

In this comprehensive and engaging biography, P. M. S. Hacker paints a vivid portrait of one of the most influential philosophers of the twentieth century, Ludwig Wittgenstein. Hacker draws on a wealth of sources, including Wittgenstein's published and unpublished writings, as well as interviews with his friends and colleagues, to provide a detailed account of Wittgenstein's life and work.

Early Life and Education

Ludwig Wittgenstein was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1889. He came from a wealthy and cultured family, and he showed a talent for mathematics and philosophy from an early age. Wittgenstein studied at the University of Cambridge, where he came under the influence of Bertrand Russell. Russell was impressed by Wittgenstein's brilliance, and he encouraged him to pursue a career in philosophy.

The Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

Wittgenstein's first major work, the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, was published in 1921. The Tractatus is a short but dense work that attempts to provide a definitive account of the nature of language and reality. Wittgenstein argues that all meaningful propositions are either logical tautologies or empirical observations. He also argues that there are some things that cannot be said, but can only be shown.

The Tractatus was a major philosophical breakthrough, and it had a profound influence on the development of analytic philosophy. However, Wittgenstein soon came to believe that the Tractatus was flawed. He felt that he had oversimplified the nature of language and reality, and he began to develop a new philosophy that would be more flexible and nuanced.

The Philosophical Investigations

Wittgenstein's second major work, the Philosophical Investigations, was published posthumously in 1953. The Philosophical Investigations is a much longer and more complex work than the Tractatus, and it reflects Wittgenstein's evolving views on language and reality. In the Philosophical Investigations, Wittgenstein argues that language is not a static system of rules, but rather a dynamic tool that is constantly being used and adapted by its users. He also argues that there is no one correct way to understand language, and that the meaning of a word or phrase is always context-dependent.

The Philosophical Investigations is a challenging but rewarding work, and it has been hailed as one of the most important philosophical works of the twentieth century. It has had a profound influence on the development of philosophy, linguistics, and other fields.

Later Life and Death

After the publication of the Tractatus, Wittgenstein lived a relatively quiet life. He taught at the University of Cambridge for a number of years, and he also spent time in Austria and the United States. Wittgenstein died in Cambridge in 1951.

Conclusion

Ludwig Wittgenstein was a brilliant and original philosopher who made a major contribution to the development of analytic philosophy. His work continues to be studied and debated by philosophers around the world, and it is sure to continue to influence the course of philosophy for many years to come.

Why You Should Read This Book

If you are interested in philosophy, then you should definitely read this book. Wittgenstein was one of the most important philosophers of the twentieth century, and his work has had a profound influence on the development of philosophy. This book provides a comprehensive and engaging account of Wittgenstein's life and work, and it is sure to leave you with a deeper understanding of one of the most brilliant minds of our time.