James Klagge on Wittgenstein
Philosophy Bites
Deep Dive
What was Ludwig Wittgenstein's family background and how did it influence his early life?
Wittgenstein grew up in one of the wealthiest families in Vienna, comparable to the Krupps in Germany or the Carnegies in the United States. His father was a domineering manufacturing businessman who pressured his older brothers into the family business, leading to their suicides. Wittgenstein, the youngest, was allowed to study engineering instead, which eventually led him to philosophy through his interest in logic.
How did Wittgenstein's experiences in World War I shape the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus?
Wittgenstein's experiences in World War I profoundly influenced the final sections of the Tractatus. While serving as an artillery spotter during the Russian Brusilov offensive, he began contemplating themes like God, death, ethics, and the meaning of life. These reflections are reflected in the last two dozen propositions of the book, which address existential and ethical questions, contrasting with the earlier focus on logic and language.
What is Wittgenstein's 'picture theory of meaning' in the Tractatus?
Wittgenstein's 'picture theory of meaning' posits that language represents reality by sharing its structure or form. Just as a model in engineering represents a real object, sentences or pictures represent parts of reality. This theory focuses on how language describes the world by breaking down both language and reality into their minimal components and showing their connection.
How did Wittgenstein's engineering background influence his philosophy?
Wittgenstein's background in engineering, particularly his work on aeronautical engineering and patents for propellers, led him to an interest in logic and models. This influenced his philosophical approach, especially his 'picture theory of meaning,' where he used the concept of models to explain how language represents reality.
What was Wittgenstein's relationship with Bertrand Russell and how did it impact his work?
Wittgenstein met Bertrand Russell at Cambridge, where Russell was a significant influence on his philosophical development. Russell's work on logic, particularly in Principia Mathematica, provided the context for Wittgenstein's early philosophical inquiries. However, Wittgenstein later diverged from Russell's views, especially in his conception of logic as showing rather than describing the structure of the world.
How did Wittgenstein's character and personality influence his philosophical work?
Wittgenstein was described as serious, noble, and childlike in his capacity for pleasure, but also cold and hard to get along with. His intense focus and seriousness, possibly linked to traits associated with Asperger's syndrome, shaped his rigorous and aphoristic writing style. He cared deeply about the form and clarity of his ideas, which is evident in the Tractatus.
What was the Vienna Circle's interpretation of the Tractatus, and how did it differ from Wittgenstein's intentions?
The Vienna Circle, a group of scientifically oriented philosophers, embraced the first 80% of the Tractatus, which focused on logic and language. However, they dismissed the final sections on ethics, religion, and existential themes, which Wittgenstein considered crucial. Wittgenstein valued these topics deeply and believed they should be approached with silence rather than superficial discussion.
How did Wittgenstein's wartime experiences influence his thoughts on ethics and the will?
During World War I, Wittgenstein realized that while he couldn't control external events, he could control his attitude toward them. This insight is reflected in propositions like 6.43, where he states that the world of the happy man differs from that of the unhappy man. He also explored the idea of eternal life as timelessness, influenced by Tolstoy's 'The Gospels in Brief,' which he carried with him during the war.
What is the significance of the numbering system in the Tractatus?
The numbering system in the Tractatus, inspired by Principia Mathematica, allowed Wittgenstein to organize and insert propositions flexibly. This system was particularly useful as he wrote the book during World War I, using notebooks in the trenches. The structure reflects his method of distilling and reorganizing ideas over time.
How was the Tractatus received in the UK and America after its publication?
The Tractatus received mixed reviews upon its publication. The first review, by H. Wilden Carr in the Times Literary Supplement, was highly positive. Other reviews ranged from puzzled to negative. Bertrand Russell, who wrote the introduction, regarded it as a work of genius but did not fully understand it, a sentiment Wittgenstein shared about most readers.
- Wittgenstein's wealthy and cultural Viennese background
- His family's influence and the suicides of his brothers
- His early interest in engineering and mathematics
- His unique personality and mannerisms as described by his peers
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