Wittgenstein's metaphilosophy / Paul Horwich.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Horwich, Paul, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Wittgenstein, Ludwig, 1889-1951.

Wittgenstein, Ludwig.

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xv, 225 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Clarendon Press, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

A bold interpretation of Ludwig Wittgenstein's later work. It argues that it is Wittgenstein's radically anti-theoretical metaphilosophy - and not his identification of the meaning of a word with its use - that underpins his discussions of specific issues concerning language, the mind, mathematics, knowledge, art, and religion. Paul Horwich develops an interpretation of Ludwig Wittgenstein's later writings that differs in substantial respects from what can already be found in the literature. He argues that it is Wittgenstein's radically anti-theoretical metaphilosophy-and not (as assumed by most other commentators) his identification of the meaning of a word with its use-that lies at the foundation of his discussions of specific issues concerning language, the mind, mathematics, knowledge, art, andreligion. Thus Horwich's first aim is to give a clear account of Wittgenstein's hyper-deflationist view of what philosophy is, how it should be conducted, and what it might achieve. His second aim is to defend this view against a variety of objections: that is, to display its virtues, not merely as anaccurate reading of Wittgenstein, but as the correct conception of philosophy itself. And the third aim is to examine the application of this view to a variety of topics-but primarily to language and to experience. A further distinctive feature of this approach is its presupposition that Wittgenstein's ideas may be formulated with precision and that solid arguments may be found on their behalf. This pair of guiding assumptions-the centrality of Wittgenstein's metaphilosophy, and itssusceptibility to rigorous articulation and rational support-are admittedly controversial but are vindicated, not just textually, but by the power and plausibility of the philosophy that results from them.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on metadata supplied by the publisher and other sources.

ISBN:

1-283-86905-5

0-19-163285-6