Although many people don't seem to recognize the value of a book like Wittgenstein's Vienna, it is indeed fortunate that such books exist.

What are the origins of modern racial Antisemitism? That German, Johann Andreas Eisenmenger, seemingly did a good job of exposing the Talmud as a hate-book. But what about the hatred towards those with Jewish blood?

Vienna, Austria, was essentially the Jewish capital of Europe. It was also, apparently, the capital of modern-day intellectual Antisemitism. The interesting thing is that the top Antisemites were almost all Jewish. Karl Kraus, Arthur Trebitsch, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Otto Weininger, Viktor Adler, and Heinrich Friedjung are just a few of the prominent purveyors of Austrian intellectual Antisemitism.

Perhaps the most unappealing example of Viennese Jewish Antisemitism was Theodor Herzl, the father of modern political Zionism. Before turning to Zionism, Herzl was a pro-assimilation Jew who actively worked towards having Austrian-German Jewry blend into the German population. Some modern Zionist extremists refer to Jewish assimilation as "The silent holocaust."

In Wittgenstein's Vienna, the author contends that Herzl's main motivation for Zionism was his self-loathing of his Jewish background. After all, Zionism's ultimate aim is to bring world Jewry back to the completely mythical heroic days of David's Kingdom. Apparently, Theodor Herzl was also a dandy who loved wearing frock coats at International Zionist conferences.

Among all the strange things about Theodor Herzl, the strangest (or perhaps not) was his obsession with the top Anti-Semite Richard Wagner. Just like his fellow Austrian Adolf Hitler, Herzl was completely consumed by a world-changing passion after experiencing Wagner's music. In fact, Herzl credited Wagner's Tannhauser with influencing his advocacy for the Jewish state. Adolf Hitler is known for saying that one cannot understand National Socialism unless they understand Richard Wagner. Apparently, the same can be said about Zionism.

A great companion to Carl Schorkse's masterpiece 'Fin-de-Siecle Vienna' - every little helps.

Every little tile added to the mosaic once called Vienna, every small clue, anecdote, story, thought, recount brings me to an era that never was, is, and will be for me. But I feel closer and closer each time I read a book such as this.

Wittgenstein is beyond, behind, above, and ahead of me - I can't comment as this is my first encounter with his philosophy.

What I can say though is that the language, writing, and narrative is surprisingly flawless and smooth. It is very captivating as well as pleasantly literate. The author's ability to present complex ideas in a clear and engaging manner is truly remarkable. The book not only provides valuable insights into the Viennese culture and society of the fin-de-siecle period but also offers a unique perspective on Wittgenstein's philosophy.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone interested in Viennese history, philosophy, or literature. It is a beautifully written and thought-provoking book that will leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Set in the vibrant hotbed of ideas at the end of the nineteenth century, this remarkable book delves deep into the life and work of Ludwig Wittgenstein, the man who stood at the very center of philosophic discussions.

However, it is far more than just a study of one individual. It is a profound work of cultural history that endeavors to define the meaning of the numerous changes that were abounding during a time when society was undergoing profound transformations.

The arc of the book's narrative takes the reader on a captivating journey from the opulent Habsburg Vienna during the final days of the empire, through the sweeping changes in language, culture, and philosophy.

Leavened by frequent references to art, music, and literature, the book makes a compelling case for the intelligibility of these changes.

One can read about the profound impact of the thought of Sigmund Freud, the revolutionary music of Arnold Schonberg, and the captivating art of Klimt, Kokoschka, and others.

If you have an interest in uncovering the roots of Robert Musil's early work or understanding the far-reaching impact of the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer, then this book is an absolute must-read. It is truly a seminal work in the history of ideas.

Fascinating look into the wonder that was turn-of-the-20th century Vienna.

It was a place that gave birth to some of the most influential people of the 20th century, many of whom were acquainted with each other.

From this, they explain the context of Ludwig Wittgenstein's philosophy, which was firmly based on an unwavering intellectual truth, standing in stark contrast to the socio-political fantasy world that surrounded him.

It's an interesting thesis, presented with captivating detail and clarity, enabling those (like me) who are not deeply versed in Wittgenstein to understand it.

Actually, I had hoped this would be about coffeehouses. However, they immediately shattered that fantasy.

Vienna at the turn of the 20th century was a hotbed of creativity and intellectualism. The city was filled with vibrant cultural and artistic scenes, and it was here that some of the most significant minds of the era emerged.

The relationships and interactions among these individuals played a crucial role in shaping their ideas and philosophies.

Ludwig Wittgenstein, in particular, was a central figure whose work had a profound impact on philosophy and beyond.

His uncompromising pursuit of truth set him apart from the prevailing socio-political climate of the time.

Overall, this exploration of turn-of-the-20th century Vienna offers a captivating glimpse into a remarkable period of history.

Recommended for people who do not judge books by covers.

The one in this picture is for a different edition; I can only find one picture of mine online, here [http://www.bookthug.ca/miva/graphics/...].

It's tiny, but trust me: it is an Atari version of the Taj Mahal with a Wall-Street-Journal-style portrait of Wittgenstein, with space invaders on the side! To add a touch of class!

Post-reading-less-superficial review: the cover remains the most remarkable thing about this book. The real point of it is that only historians and not philosophers can really understand Wittgenstein. This is because even though he was writing using the language of Frege/Russell, he was reacting to social/political tensions in the Vienna of his youth. This makes some intuitive sense, but it can't be the whole story. There could be other factors at play that contribute to the complexity of understanding Wittgenstein's work. Maybe his personal experiences, his relationships, or his unique way of thinking also had an impact. It's important to look beyond the surface and explore all the possible aspects when trying to truly understand a philosopher like Wittgenstein.

I took this book while traveling to Vienna, because I wanted to follow in the footsteps of Wittgenstein and the logical positivists.

+ The book contains a lot of information about the context and cultural climate in which both Wittgenstein's and the logical positivists' ideas emerged. It's interesting to read about that aristocracy (although I didn't know many of the people mentioned in the book), the new ideas, the emerging anti-Semitism and how it hindered the development and spread of those new ideas (yes, even Moritz Schlick was shot).

+ The chapters are not entirely organized chronologically, but according to various places in Vienna. Their addresses are written and what happened there, so you can go and develop a kind of memory map.

- It's a pity that there is no place for a map in the book (yes, it may be logical, because there are a lot of those addresses and it would be difficult to fit them all on one map), but...

- At the end, there is not even an index of names or addresses! Of course, this book doesn't have to be read as a city guide, but since the book is organized like this, with people and addresses mentioned, it would be nice to have an index, just for convenience.

But there was nothing like that, so I marked the more interesting places with bookmarks and visited Wittgenstein's designed house, the Musil house (i.e., the building where Musil once lived) and the building where Schlick lived. I couldn't go to the university where he was shot, but Vienna is still great.

This is an extremely long read, but it is truly super informative when it comes to the social conditions and history of Austria-Hungary. It delves deep into the various aspects that shaped this once-great empire. From its political structure to the daily lives of its people, every detail is explored. The history of Austria-Hungary is a complex and fascinating one, filled with wars, alliances, and cultural exchanges. This article provides a comprehensive overview, allowing readers to gain a better understanding of this important period in European history. Whether you are a history buff or simply interested in learning more about the world, this long read is well worth your time.

I read it in Spanish.

It is a very interesting book about Vienna in the period before World War I.

The reading is not very easy, but it is extremely interesting!

This book provides a detailed and vivid portrayal of the city of Vienna during that particular era.

It delves into various aspects such as the social, cultural, and political life of the people.

Although the language and the content might pose some challenges, the overall experience of reading this book is highly rewarding.

It offers a unique perspective on a historical period that is often overlooked or not fully explored.

By reading this book, one can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the rich history and heritage of Vienna.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in history, culture, or simply in learning about different places and times.

Yeah, it was really great fun. I truly liked this contextual approach to Wittgenstein's philosophy.

At times, it might seem a bit outdated. It very much fits within the philosophy of science of its era, with its not-so-subtle centrism. However, that, to be honest, only added a fun layer to it for me.

What can I say? I'm easy to please like that, right? It's interesting to explore how Wittgenstein's ideas were influenced by the context in which he was writing.

The centrism, although perhaps a bit blatant, gives us a unique perspective on the development of his philosophy.

It makes me think about how our own understanding of philosophy can be shaped by the times we live in and the ideas that are prevalent during those periods.

Overall, this contextual approach has provided me with a new and enjoyable way to engage with Wittgenstein's work.

Personal note:

I abandoned this task more than 2 years ago. It was left at page 174.

I have been thinking about resuming it at some point in the future.

There are several reasons for my initial abandonment. Maybe I was facing other pressing commitments or perhaps I lost interest temporarily.

However, as time has passed, I find myself reflecting on this unfinished work.

I wonder what could have been achieved if I had continued.

Now, I am considering taking up the challenge again and seeing it through to the end.

Although I'm not sure exactly when I will resume, I know that the possibility is always there.

It could be in the near future or maybe further down the line.

But one thing is for sure, I haven't completely given up on this task.

Aviso a lectores noveles de filosofía:

Más que tratar de Viena, este es un libro filosófico. Es una obra que aborda temas profundos de la filosofía. No se trata simplemente de una descripción de la ciudad de Viena. Cuando se lee este libro, hay que hacerlo "de corrido", es decir, con fluidez y sin detenerse demasiado en cada concepto individual. Es como si se estuviera escuchando música y se dejara llevar por la melodía, sin detenerse en los detalles técnicos. De esta manera, se puede captar mejor el espíritu y la idea general del libro, sin perderse en los detalles que pueden distraer.

Además, los conceptos filosóficos que se presentan en el libro se entienden mejor más allá de la frase que se está leyendo. Es necesario leer entre líneas, analizar y reflexionar sobre lo que se dice. Esto requiere una actitud abierta y una mente dispuesta a explorar nuevas ideas y perspectivas. Así, se puede obtener un mayor beneficio y una mejor comprensión de la filosofía que se expone en el libro.

Janik and Toulmin possess an astonishingly profound and extensive knowledge. They are not only bold but also meticulously methodical in integrating this knowledge.

They can effortlessly discuss a wide range of topics, such as the transition from seven-tone to twelve-tone composition, the replacement of artificial baroque architecture with functional spaces, the emergence of "internally mapped" axiomatic systems compared to historical explanations of the scientific enterprise, poetic expression, journalistic styles and rivalries, and deftly chart the cross-links between these diverse areas. This occupies approximately half of the book. The remainder focuses on Wittgenstein as the symbol of all these changes and concerns.

It is not so much because he was at the forefront of these developments but because he attempted to address them in the broadest, most comprehensive, and most general way. The authors offer profound insights into his philosophy, personality, influences, and his relationship with the philosophical community as a whole, constructing a vivid image of him based on these mutually influential factors (while trying to avoid any "psychobiography").

Throughout the book, they maintain this intricate narrative with elegance and, more importantly, naturally. Connecting the dots as they do is truly impressive, and presenting it so coherently on paper is equally remarkable.

However, one might wonder why Wittgenstein should be the central focus of this book rather than other figures who grappled with similar concepts, like Boltzmann or Loos. The authors also present a persuasive argument, specifically regarding Wittgenstein's philosophy. In their view, Wittgenstein has been misinterpreted by the English-speaking philosophical world, which was unfamiliar with his context and thus unable to properly appraise his work and aims.

His reputation as a kind of god, an eccentric genius of unrivaled depth, has actually neutralized his contributions as it removes them from useful and active discourse. A pedestal is just as useful as a garbage bin for discarding an unwanted or inconsistent idea. For Janik and Toulmin, the only way to truly understand Wittgenstein is to know the unique circumstances that shaped him: the decline of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and its center, Vienna.