Portrait of the Thinker as a Man

If you wish to understand Ludwig Wittgenstein, both as a thinker and as a man, one must turn to the final page of Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, the sole philosophical work published during his lifetime. There, in all its enigmatic beauty, lies one of the most memorable and frequently quoted propositions: Whereof we cannot speak thereof we must be silent.

Yet, that was precisely the thing: he was not silent. The majority of his life following the publication of the Tractatus was dedicated to the pursuit of those very matters that could not be addressed in a work of unyielding logic. Whether it was the nature of language, the practical usage of language, the nature of thought, ethics, psychology, or the relationship of philosophy to the broader realm of human experience.

“If a lion could speak, we could not understand him,” he wrote in the posthumously published Philosophical Investigations. Wittgenstein spoke, but most who followed, especially the Vienna School of Logical Positivists, who had a legitimate claim to be the apostles of his text, could not understand him.

Bertrand Russell, who penned a preface for the Tractatus, could not fathom his brilliant protégé. The truly astonishing aspect is that when the two met at Cambridge before World War I, Wittgenstein was a novice, while Russell was a mature and respected professor of philosophy, the co-author with A. N. Whitehead of Principia Mathematica, a seminal work in mathematical logic.

However, Wittgenstein swiftly established complete intellectual dominance. So much so that by 1912, Russell informed his sister that he anticipated the next significant step in philosophy to be taken by her brother. It is salutary to recall that he was still only a twenty-three-year-old undergraduate!

Ray Monk comprehends the man, his thoughts, and his life in thought well enough to pen Ludwig Wittgenstein: The Duty of Genius. I came across this work recently, in the paperback edition, determined to grapple with one of the great thinkers of the last century.

He is one of the individuals I have long admired for his clarity of expression, for those portions of his work that are accessible to me, those that are not overly immersed in an ethereal and mathematical mode of expression. Admired, yes, but from a distance, like some intimidating demigod. Monk has brought me much closer to the man in what is a surprisingly readable and at times gripping biography.

Surprising? It is simply that I did not expect such a difficult thinker to be reducible to such ordinary human terms. This is, in fact, the key to this book: in its own brilliant and lucid manner, it humanizes the idol, if that makes sense, painting a detailed and comprehensive portrait. Monk has a commendable command of the available material, liberally quoting from letters, diaries, notebooks, and interviews, coming close to understanding the thinker as a whole. There is Wittgenstein, uncompromising in his self-critical brilliance, relentless in the pursuit of ideas and people, full of self-assurance at times, and at others, consumed by the most crushing and debilitating forms of self-doubt.

As is customary with paperback editions, the cover is replete with laudatory praise. I have no quarrel with this; it is richly deserved. It is, as the Observer states, a highly recommended book. The Guardian adds that Monk’s biography is deeply intelligent and generous to the ordinary reader, statements with which I wholeheartedly concur. But the reviewer goes a step further, claiming that it is a beautiful portrait of a beautiful life. Hmm…a beautiful portrait? Well, yes. I suppose, although I think the expression is perhaps a touch hyperbolic. But was it a ‘beautiful life’? I’m not so sure. It was an important one, yes, but that is quite different.

Ecce homo; behold the whole. The truth is that the more I delved into the thinker, the less I began to like the man. He was far too intense, far too opinionated, far too wearing. This is genius, and supposedly everything is excused, all normal standards suspended. But I still departed with the feeling that, for all his brilliance, this was a man best not known; better for some of the less able children in the Austrian elementary schools he taught not to know; better not to know a man rather too free with his fists.

He exerted a significant influence on the young men who crossed his path, steering some away from academic philosophy and Cambridge, both of which he paradoxically despised, towards more ‘practical’ endeavors. He adopted a kind of Tolstoyan view of life, encouraging others to work alongside ‘ordinary’ people rather than in academia. I could not help but feel that Francis Skinner, a brilliant mathematical scholar, Wittgenstein’s disciple and sometimes lover, might have been happier had he never met him. In his pursuit of a false authenticity, he went to work in a screw factory at the behest of his mentor, a place where he was profoundly unhappy. Earlier, he and Skinner had planned to travel to Soviet Russia in the mid-1930s to work as laborers. Fortunately for them, at least for Skinner, the harebrained project failed to come to fruition.

I suppose it is yet another measure of Monk’s skill as a biographer that he presents us with a cogent, warts-and-all portrait. I am perhaps overly conscious of the warts, but it is comforting to see that while Wittgenstein could be a mystic, he was no saint! He is a man whom I would both have loved and hated to have known, with the latter perhaps now slightly more pronounced than the former. If I had met him, I would have one question to ask: how could anyone, least of all a man with your degree of insight and sensitivity, have been taken in by Otto Weiniger’s bizarre, misogynist, and self-hating monograph Sex and Character? It is complete trash! I am glad to say that Ludwig Wittgenstein: The Duty of Genius is not. Rather, in itself, it is a biography of genius.

I'm through the First World War. Ludwig strikes me as a case of arrested social development.

"Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent." But it seems that silence applies only to words. To use the language of mathematics or symbolic logic does not count as silence. What can be expressed in symbols devoid of content, reductionism of fiercesome proportion?

Notwithstanding ambiguity, abstraction needs to be anchored to something, to be articulated, to bring it into the world. I believe that the ambiguity inherent in language is inherent in all communication. I cannot know if what I perceive, whether spoken or shown, is what you meant. I see that as a good, stimulating creativity in order to understand.

Never got off the ground on this book again and finally had no more renewals at the library. So back it went, but I feel that what I did read was more than worthwhile.

Although I didn't manage to fully explore the book, the parts I did read provided me with valuable insights. Ludwig's views on language and silence made me think deeply about the nature of communication. The idea that ambiguity is an inherent part of language and all communication is both fascinating and challenging. It forces us to be more creative in our attempts to understand one another.

Even though I had to return the book without finishing it, I'm glad I had the opportunity to read what I did. It has left me with a lot to ponder and has perhaps inspired me to further explore these ideas in the future.

I look forward to encountering more thought-provoking works that will continue to expand my understanding of the world and how we communicate within it.

I'm just going to say that one of the best biographies I have ever read is truly an outstanding piece of work. It takes the reader on an in-depth journey through the life of the subject, revealing not only the major events and achievements but also the personal struggles and emotions. The author's writing style is engaging and captivating, making it difficult to put the book down.

From the very beginning, the biography hooks you with its interesting introduction and sets the stage for what's to come. As you progress through the pages, you gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the person being profiled. The details provided are rich and vivid, painting a vivid picture of their life and times.

Overall, this biography is a must-read for anyone interested in learning about the life of an extraordinary individual. It offers valuable insights and lessons that can be applied to our own lives. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read that will both educate and inspire.

Among the most interesting persons that I have ever come across in a biography, Monk surely stands out.

He is not only a highly gifted writer but also an excellent storyteller. This is vividly demonstrated in the exquisitely told and perfectly paced narrative of one of the greatest logicians and linguists in history.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and mind of this truly remarkable individual.

Monk's biography does full justice to its subject, painting a detailed and accurate portrait. It showcases the subject's achievements, struggles, and unique personality.

Overall, it is a captivating read that provides valuable insights into the world of one of the most interesting people of all time.

Ever since I was formally introduced to philosophy as a subject, two personalities in particular have completely transformed everything for me. One of them is Nietzsche, and the other is Wittgenstein. I usually don't have a penchant for reading biographies. However, I have been so deeply enamored and significantly influenced by Wittgenstein's work that I simply had to get to know him intimately. And let me tell you, Ray Monk has done an outstanding job.

Ray Monk familiarizes the reader with Wittgenstein in such a remarkable way that by the end, the reader feels as if they have found a very close friend in Wittgenstein. It is no exaggeration to say that Ray Monk has done absolute justice to the genre. After this remarkable piece of work, I would assert that he has set a benchmark for other biographers. His portrayal of Wittgenstein is so vivid and detailed that it allows the reader to truly understand the man behind the philosophy. It is a testament to his skill as a biographer and his deep understanding of Wittgenstein's life and work.

My rating simply indicates that I didn't enjoy reading about Wittgenstein that much. In many aspects, he seemed rather unsympathetic to me and oblivious to significant dimensions of life.

Nevertheless, the quality of the book as a biography is outstanding. If you have an interest in Wittgenstein, philosophy, or early 20th-century analytic philosophy, this book will be great fun for you.

Monk provides a very detailed account of Wittgenstein's life and the evolution of his main ideas. The book is highly ambitious, aiming to demonstrate that Wittgenstein's personal affairs, thoughts, and emotions developed in tandem with and had a profound influence on his philosophical thoughts. It would require someone more knowledgeable about Wittgenstein's life and work to determine whether Monk's account is accurate, but it is certainly plausible and an entertaining, in some places revealing, portrayal of the man and his work. Monk did an excellent job in examining the philosophical work, consulting as many people as possible, and reading all the personal correspondence and journals he could access.

I found the parts on Russell, Moore, Keynes, Turing, Ramsey, the Wittgenstein family, and the Vienna intellectual scene in many cases more interesting than Wittgenstein's fixation on his intelligence, his ability to work, and his strange ideas about the ideal life. But that's just my personal preference, and it doesn't detract from the value of this book or Wittgenstein's work.

Overall, it's a great job.

I have no idea why I was so deeply fascinated by this man.

Maybe it dates back to my college days when I attempted to read his work, the Tractatus. Back then, I couldn't make heads or tails of it, and truth be told, I probably wouldn't understand much more now. However, it's somewhat comforting to know that even the philosophical giants of that era grappled with the same difficulties!

Wittgenstein, a man who was half-mad and half-genius, transitioned from being the richest man in Europe to a poor village teacher. His journey is truly captivating and never fails to hold my interest.

Perhaps it's the intense, unwavering desire for truth that seems to radiate from Wittgenstein. This is what left such a lasting impression on me a decade ago and ultimately led to my reading of this biography now. I absolutely loved it! It provided me with a deeper understanding of this complex and enigmatic figure, and I can't wait to explore more of his ideas and works in the future.

An arduous journey - of thought and of life - through the earthly passage of the tormented, controversial and eccentric Viennese philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. I love biographies, what can I say? Even more so when they are so exquisitely written and have behind them a substantial research by the biographer. In this case, we can not only consider this book as a great - really colossal, in terms of research - biography, but also as a way of approaching the philosophical thought of this character; since Ray Monk is also a professor in philosophy, and more specifically, of the philosophy of mathematics and analytic philosophy. Perhaps, likewise, Wittgenstein's ideas can be better understood by knowing the circumstances in which he lived, his way and his conceptions of life; as the writer of this work affirms. This book is full of funny and interesting conversations, of controversial responses, of mysteries about his life, of sullen and discourteous ways of treating people, of remarkable talents and of a path of rigorous thought, almost overflowing, I would say, by - as to him, secretly, he would have liked to be called - a genius of the caliber of Wittgenstein. I would like to end with the last thing he said in life, to the wife of his doctor, waiting for the arrival of his few - but faithful - friends and despite the great, the exceptional suffering, especially mental, that he endured:

\\n  Tell them that my life was wonderful.\\n

In my opinion, a conclusion in line with the size of force and inner impetus that he had throughout his life.

This book is truly remarkable.

It not only presents an in-depth biography of Wittgenstein but also closely tracks the fascinating development and significant sea change in his philosophical thinking, as well as his ultimate conclusions regarding the futility of philosophy itself.

Both aspects, the biography and the philosophical exploration, are interesting on their own, and yet together they enrich and inform each other.

However, this is not an easy read. Wittgenstein was indeed a tortured genius, constantly plagued by self-doubt and self-hatred, while at the same time repelling those around him with his arrogance and self-absorption.

In today's terms, he would almost surely have been diagnosed with high functioning autism.

Consequently, the uniqueness of his thought processes allowed him to break free from the constraints of philosophical traditions that influenced his early work, and provided us with valuable insights into the relationship between language, its function, and its role in creating philosophical and, more importantly, psychological traps that ensnare us all.

Wittgenstein himself would likely have had little patience with those of us who struggle to understand his ideas.

Yet, while Ludwig may have been difficult to like on a personal level, Monk makes no apologies for his behavior. Instead, he reveals the pain behind it with quiet compassion.

In the end, Monk shows us that Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations, although intellectually groundbreaking, are much more than just an academic endeavor. They are a direct reflection of who and what he was.

It is a long book that requires effort and concentration, but like Wittgenstein's own writings, the rewards are well worth the investment.

When we encounter certain events, we tend to label them as "life-changing" because what follows is a series of strange (re)actions. Even if it wasn't my own decision - don't worry - I would retrospectively assign meanings to those peculiar behaviors. This basic concept has been on my mind lately.

If I hadn't been introduced to the brilliance of Wittgenstein in high school, I might have mistakenly ventured onto the path of continental philosophy. If I hadn't briefly delved into analytic philosophy, I would have missed out on numerous quizzes, film references, and fun! In case I become too self-obsessed... Finally, if I hadn't read this biography, I wouldn't have realized he was more cantankerous than I thought, and yet, I still admire him despite all his flaws.

Is that all I wanted to say after letting the book soak in for 6 months? There's no reasoning with a fanatic. I idolize Wittgenstein on a whim. Every time I dwell on the unsuccessful attempts to spread Wittgensteinian thoughts, I realize I've just been tallying his achievements all along. My listeners would recognize him, but not in a rational way. We would be communicating in our "private language" and feigning consensus.

A special mention goes to Ray Monk, who made Wittgenstein's ideas more approachable and went to great lengths to successfully reconstruct his different life stages, where his temperament, setting, focus of study, and participants varied greatly. I'm grateful that Monk started the book before the last living acquaintance of the late giant passed away.

Fascinating look at the life of a spiritual man who was also a brilliant logician. The philosophy is beyond my understanding and the book is rather depressing, but still I couldn't put it down.

This man's life was a complex tapestry of spiritual exploration and logical thinking. His ideas seemed to straddle two worlds, the spiritual and the rational. While the philosophy in the book was difficult to fathom, it was also strangely captivating. It made me question my own beliefs and the way I view the world.

The depression that I felt while reading the book might have been due to the heavy subject matter or perhaps the author's writing style. However, despite this, I was compelled to keep reading. There was something about the man's story that kept pulling me in, making me want to know more about his journey and his thoughts.

In conclusion, this book was a challenging read, but also a rewarding one. It opened my eyes to a different way of thinking and made me appreciate the complexity of the human experience. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in philosophy, spirituality, or the life of a remarkable individual.

Learning about Wittgenstein is an absolute delight, yet it is so hard to judge the man by his book. He was such a fascinating, troubled, brilliant, and crazy individual. I find myself relating to him perhaps a bit *too* much. There are times when I feel as if I am just like him. If only I were wealthy, a genius, a man, and had any kind of drive or motivation. It's almost as if I can see myself in his complex and unique personality. His thoughts and ideas are so captivating, and yet his life was filled with so many struggles and contradictions. But that's what makes him so interesting and worthy of study. I can't help but be drawn to his story and his work, and I look forward to learning more about him in the future.