As a Philosophy undergrad, I found Wittgenstein's writing to be refreshingly plain-spoken.

So much of Modern Western philosophy is poorly written, which is truly frustrating. After all, the whole point is to clearly present some idea.

Anyway, Wittgenstein's numbered series of questions and remarks strikes me as a more appropriate way to convey philosophical ideas. It seems more appropriate than the grammatically confusing literature of those Modern Western giants.

Wittgenstein's writing appears less immediately dense, which is one of its best aspects. He presents ideas in the form of a repetitive series of rhetorical searching questions, followed by a repetitive series of basic logical acknowledgements, and then attempts to reconcile the two. However, it's never in a very obvious way that calls attention to the main points or conclusions as such. Instead, it just seems like a series of searching questions that Wittgenstein is asking and answering to himself.

It's sort of like the Socratic method, except that the voice answering the questions doesn't seem as obviously doomed or stupid as the people Socrates quizzed on their beliefs.

"On Certainty" is one of (probably) many remarks towards Descartes' dream argument. Although it specifically addresses works published by G.E. Moore in the 20th century.

It's great. You start with Descartes (how do I know this isn't a dream?), then Moore (how do I know this is a tree?), and Wittgenstein just tries to refute the epistemology of such remarks. He argues that we don't "know" this isn't a dream or that this is a tree; rather, the fact that these things simply *are* provides us with a foundation upon which to build actual knowledge.

That's the way I remember it, but it's been 10 years.

The original article: The importance of recycling cannot be overemphasized. It helps to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and protect the environment. Recycling also has economic benefits as it can create jobs and save energy. We should all make an effort to recycle as much as possible.

Expanded article:

The importance of recycling truly cannot be overemphasized. It plays a crucial role in conserving our precious natural resources. By recycling materials such as paper, plastic, and metal, we can reduce the need to extract and process new raw materials, thereby preserving the earth's finite resources.

Moreover, recycling is essential for reducing waste. Instead of filling up landfills with mountains of garbage, recycling allows us to transform waste into useful products. This not only helps to keep our environment clean and beautiful but also reduces the negative impact of waste on our ecosystems.

Recycling also has significant economic benefits. It can create jobs in the recycling industry, from collecting and sorting waste to manufacturing recycled products. Additionally, recycling can save energy as it often requires less energy to process recycled materials compared to virgin materials.

In conclusion, we should all make a conscious effort to recycle as much as possible. By doing so, we can contribute to a more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let's all do our part and make recycling a part of our daily lives.

WITTGENSTEIN CRITICALLY ANALYZES G.E. MOORE’S “COMMON SENSE” ARGUMENTS

Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgenstein (1889-1951) was an Austrian-British philosopher. His works like 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus' and 'Philosophical Investigations' are classics of 20th-century philosophy. Born into wealth, he gave away his inheritance, served in the army, taught in villages, and finally taught at Cambridge for many years. The Tractatus was his only published book during his lifetime, but his papers and students' lecture notes have led to many posthumous publications.

The editors explain that the content in this book belongs to the last year and a half of Wittgenstein's life. In 1949, he visited the US at Norman Malcolm's invitation and became interested in Moore's "defence of common sense." This book contains all of Wittgenstein's writings on this topic from then until his death. It's first-draft material that he didn't have time to polish.

Wittgenstein writes that if we know "here is one hand," we can grant the rest. But just because it seems so doesn't mean it is. We can ask if it makes sense to doubt it. He also points out that just because someone says "I know" doesn't mean they really know. It needs to be objectively established that there is no mistake. Doubting the existence of the external world is different from doubting the existence of a planet. He adds that we can't simply believe a reliable person who says they can't be wrong. Certainty is a tone of voice, but we can't infer justification from it.

Wittgenstein observes that we don't test whether our hands disappear when we're not looking at them. Testing has to come to an end, and we have to realize the groundlessness of our believing. He argues that when we say we know something, we mean that any reasonable person in our position would also know it. But who decides what is reasonable to believe? He also says that "I can't be making a mistake" is an ordinary sentence, but its use is limited.

The fact that Wittgenstein focuses on a single topic makes these reflections more focused than other parts of his later work. I think this is one of his most interesting and thought-provoking books.

It makes us question our assumptions and beliefs about the world around us.

It shows that even the most basic and seemingly obvious things can be the subject of intense philosophical scrutiny.

Wittgenstein's insights and arguments challenge us to think more deeply about the nature of knowledge, certainty, and belief.

They also remind us that philosophy is not just an abstract discipline but has real implications for our lives and how we understand the world.

I have read the second Wittgenstein book, and it was far less challenging than the first one.

It is a deeply insightful collection of notes that effectively delves into the mind of this influential and complex philosopher. Wittgenstein writes on the theme of common sense as he endeavors to address the debate between radical skepticism and G.E. Moore's claim to know various facts with certainty. He has always been difficult to read and truly understand, but this book reads relatively straightforwardly, making it a good starting point for beginners interested in Wittgenstein. Some people say that this is his best book, and it also happens to be his last writings. I don't think I would have even read him if it weren't for my admiration for Thomas Bernhard.

Overall, this book provides a valuable introduction to Wittgenstein's thoughts and ideas, especially for those who are new to his work. It offers a unique perspective on the relationship between common sense and philosophy, and challenges readers to think deeply about the nature of knowledge and certainty. While it may not be as difficult as some of his other works, it still requires careful reading and reflection to fully appreciate its significance.

Excellent and unique. This is the third great work or masterpiece of Wittgenstein, as it is usually called.

Countless discussions and masters have been made on this work - and will continue to be made - as the references and related studies are innumerable.

What could I say, what could I conclude from a cursory reading of this small book in just two days? In fact, it is not the type of works that would usually impress me. There are many and different reasons.

First, I have always disliked philosophical works that use ordinary examples from daily life or nature to illuminate ideas, and this work belongs to this Anglo-Saxon, and not only, tradition.

Second, superficially it makes no reference to past philosophical thought, the philosopher thinks on his own, it seems he writes to answer questions that arose from conversations with his friends. However, in reality, it continues themes of traditional epistemology and metaphysics, but in a hidden and difficult-to-trace way.

Third, the work has the form of a series of hasty (;) notes, which sometimes seem unconnected.

Fourth, and most importantly, Wittgenstein dislikes metaphysics, in fact he turns against it, believing that the best way of philosophizing is through language games.

But let me also say why I was impressed. First, it is authentic, he thinks about reality from the bottom up, he constructed his philosophy seemingly on his own. There is homogeneity and originality in his speculation that is evident from the text. Also, in reality the work is extremely enigmatic, although it seems to target the daily experience of the average European. The last paragraph of the work is a remarkable reference to the essence of knowledge and wisdom, giving a sense of greatness and immeasurable philosophical depth, as a final word, which impressively closes and crowns the book.

In summary, this book examines the roots and foundation of our culture. Reading it only brings benefits and cannot be easily forgotten. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

  I am sitting with a philosopher in the garden; he says again and again "I know that that's a tree", pointing to a tree that is near us. Someone else arrives and hears this; and I tell him: "This fellow isn't insane. We are only doing philosophy."

  "On Certainty" is a remarkable work that delves deep into Wittgenstein's later philosophy. It attempts to make you question the extent of your knowledge claims. Wittgenstein, through his brilliant pseudo-aphorisms, challenges the limits of our language in expressing human knowledge. The result is a magnificent treatise that is more accessible than his "Tractatus". I wonder why my professors didn't include it in the syllabus when we studied Wittgenstein.

  Despite such concerns, I am always enchanted by Wittgenstein's words. His philosophy has a mystical quality, and his writings read like religious tracts. "On Certainty" continues this tradition with its dense examples that are almost like parables. The introduction reveals that he wrote this work as he was dying, which makes me wonder if there is a deeper meaning behind it.

  Overall, this is a work of a genius. Wittgenstein made me love philosophy, and this book has only strengthened my admiration for him. It is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will make you question your own beliefs and knowledge.

This book pertains to the final 1 1/2 years of Wittgenstein's life. In 1949, upon the invitation of Norman Malcolm, he visited the US and resided at Malcolm's home in Ithaca, NY. Malcolm goaded Wittgenstein to pen about G. E. Moore's renowned "defence of common sense." Moore asserted to know a plethora of propositions with certainty. For instance, in "Proof of the External World," Moore stated:

"Here is one hand, and here is another."

This quote incidentally elucidates the cover featuring hands.

Here are two additional examples from Moore's "Defence of Common Sense":

"The earth existed a long time before my birth."

"I have never been far from the earth's surface."

These quotes are referenced in Wittgenstein's propositions.

It is all first-draft material. Wittgenstein did not have the opportunity to excerpt and polish.

Here are two quotes:

513. What if something truly unheard-of occurred?--If, for example, I witnessed houses gradually transforming into steam without any apparent cause, if the cattle in the fields stood on their heads, laughed, and spoke comprehensible words; if trees gradually changed into men and men into trees. Now, was I correct when I said before all these things happened "I know that that's a house" etc., or simply "that's a house" etc.?

663. I have the right to say "I can't be making a mistake about this" even if I am in error.

One of the issues with certainty is that nearly everyone is certain. I encounter few individuals who are not certain. I received a harassing letter on Goodreads some time ago from someone who attacked me for believing in the "fantasy" of evolution. He is certain of that. I am certain of evolution. It is as certain in science as the earth orbiting the sun.

I believe certainty归结于 understanding science. It is our sole hope for uncovering answers.

Unas notas interesantísimas. Estas notas abordan temas tan fascinantes como el saber, la creencia y la duda. Se presenta una completa disertación sobre lo que podemos conocer y de lo que podemos dudar. Sin embargo, no se trata de la típica perspectiva gnoseológica de la modernidad, sino más bien de un análisis lingüístico. Es como un juego, un descubrimiento en el que se exploran los significados y las relaciones lingüísticas que subyacen en estos conceptos. A través de este análisis, podemos obtener una comprensión más profunda de cómo funcionan nuestras ideas y creencias. Además, nos permite cuestionar nuestras propias presuposiciones y asumir una actitud más crítica hacia la información que recibimos. En resumen, estas notas ofrecen una perspectiva fresca y original sobre temas fundamentales de la filosofía y la epistemología.

Strange and wonderful little book!

Although it has its dull moments, there are also moments of brilliant light that shine through.

It makes me wonder, how certain am I that I have never been to Jupiter?

I can say with certainty that it is as certain as any grounds I could give for it.

Maybe there are hidden memories within me that I am not aware of, or perhaps there is a part of my soul that has journeyed to that distant planet.

The possibilities are endless, and this little book has opened up a world of imagination and speculation within me.

It makes me question the limits of my knowledge and the boundaries of my experience.

Who knows what other mysteries and wonders await us in the universe?

Maybe one day, I will find myself on Jupiter, exploring its strange and beautiful landscapes.

Until then, I will continue to let this little book inspire me and take me on adventures beyond my wildest dreams.

I have a profound love for Philosophy. Let me emphasize this once more, I truly love Philosophy. However, this particular book fails to meet the mark as Philosophy.

As I delved into this completely disheveled manuscript filled with loose ideas and workings, it seemed more like the writing of someone who was in a state of mental turmoil, perhaps bouncing poles. It is truly a pity that this book was ever published.

The central idea of the book was to convey the rather simplistic notion that 'if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it must be a duck'. The remainder of the text then instructs everyone to 'question everything'.

To the publishers, I must say that this was a real waste of my time. Even though I managed to finish the book, it was a rather arduous task. Oh boy, did I suffer through it! I gave it two stars solely because I did find some enjoyment in the German text that was presented alongside the English, just in case there were any mistranslations. Overall, it was a real waste.

Like a good Lacanian, I generally believe that all speech is in service of another subject. In this particular case, I don't think that what Wittgenstein was doing here was contending that there exists a noumenal reality just beyond our periphery, and that what we obtain is marred by uncertain subjectivity. Instead, I believe that this reality itself is constructed through what he refers to as "language games", and what others might be inclined to call prescriptive usage.

Sometimes, Wittgenstein's sober thoughts have a quality that makes them seem almost like the thoughts one might have after taking a bong rip. They can be so profound and yet so difficult to fully grasp at first glance. It's as if he is delving into the very essence of language and reality in a way that challenges our conventional understandings.

His ideas about language games suggest that our perception of reality is not fixed but rather is constantly being shaped and reshaped by the way we use language. This is a fascinating and somewhat mind-bending concept that forces us to reevaluate our relationship with the world around us.

How intolerable is a perennially incomplete system of knowledge!

It is truly exasperating to think about the limitations and gaps within our understanding.

And yet, how fortunate I am to be able to commiserate with Wittgenstein, despite the temporal divide that separates us.

His profound insights continue to resonate and offer a glimmer of hope in the face of this incomplete knowledge.

As he so astutely pointed out, "At the foundation of well-founded belief lies belief that is not founded."

This simple yet powerful statement from his work On Certainty challenges us to question the very basis of our beliefs and understandings.

It forces us to recognize that there are certain fundamental beliefs that we hold without any solid foundation, and yet they form the basis for all our other knowledge and beliefs.

Perhaps by grappling with this idea, we can begin to find a way to move forward and expand our understanding, even in the face of an incomplete system of knowledge.