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Very Short Introductions #046

Wittgenstein: A Very Short Introduction

a.c. grayling

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Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) was an extraordinarily original thinker, whose influence on twentieth-century thinking far outside the bounds of philosophy alone. In this engaging Introduction, A.C. Grayling makes Wittgenstein's thought accessible to the general reader by explaining the nature and impact of Wittgenstein's views. He describes both his early and later philosophy, the differences and connections between them, and gives a fresh assessment of Wittgenstein's continuing influence on contemporary thought.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1988
Series
Very Short Introductions

This edition

Format
160 pages, Paperback
Published
July 28, 2001 by Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN
9780192854117
ASIN
B003JTHTDK
Language
English

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About the author

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a.c. grayling

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Anthony Clifford "A. C." Grayling is a British philosopher. In 2011 he founded and became the first Master of New College of the Humanities, an independent undergraduate college in London. Until June 2011, he was Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London, where he taught from 1991. He is also a supernumerary fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford.

He is a director and contributor at Prospect Magazine, as well as a Vice President of the British Humanist Association. His main academic interests lie in epistemology, metaphysics and philosophical logic. He has described himself as "a man of the left" and is associated in Britain with the new atheism movement, and is sometimes described as the 'Fifth Horseman of New Atheism'. He appears in the British media discussing philosophy.

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Rating(4 / 5.0, 99 votes)
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99 reviews All reviews
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AnotherCasualFan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have another book by Wittgenstein, but for now, I have been diverted from reading it. This book was sufficient. It reviews both the early and late philosophy of Wittgenstein. The concept is profound, engaging, and pleasant. It is not overly complicated for a reader familiar with philosophy. One of the merits of the book is its critical perspective. Apparently, Wittgenstein has a shift, and sometimes he gets lost in the discussion of his influence on philosophy. The author criticizes such an approach in a well-founded manner.

The early Wittgenstein refers to his initial views, which are presented in a famous book called the Tractatus. After the Tractatus, Wittgenstein takes up philosophy again after a ten-year break. This time, with self-criticism and the presentation of a different view, the late Wittgenstein emerges. Any work that does not deal with either of these two Wittgensteins is incomplete.

The author of the book, I. C. Grayling, has written a coherent, concise, and useful book. I am eager to read more from his pen.
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Beatstarz
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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That Wittgenstein's later work was a stark repudiation of his early work gives me hope for the way in which my thoughts can grow and develop as a writer; I am never stuck.

Wittgenstein's intellectual journey is truly remarkable. His early work was highly regarded and had a significant impact on the field of philosophy. However, as he continued to think and explore, he reached a point where he felt the need to completely reject his earlier ideas.

This process of self-reflection and change in Wittgenstein's work serves as an inspiration to me as a writer. It shows that growth and development are possible, even when we have firmly held beliefs and ideas.

As a writer, I often face challenges and moments of self-doubt. But when I think of Wittgenstein's example, I am reminded that it is okay to change my perspective and evolve my writing. I am not bound by my past work or my current limitations.

Just as Wittgenstein was able to break free from his earlier ideas and embark on a new path of exploration, I too can do the same. I can continue to learn, experiment, and grow as a writer, always striving to improve and push the boundaries of my creativity.

In conclusion, Wittgenstein's later work gives me hope and encourages me to embrace change and growth in my own writing. It reminds me that the journey of a writer is one of continuous evolution, and that there is always room for improvement and new discoveries.
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Galizur
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The original article seems to be rather concise and perhaps lacking in detail.

It could be improved by adding more specific examples and explanations.

For instance, if it was about a particular topic, more information could be provided about that topic.

Details such as relevant facts, figures, or personal experiences could be incorporated to make the article more engaging and informative.

Also, the writing style could be enhanced by using more vivid language and a wider range of vocabulary.

This would help to bring the article to life and make it more interesting for the reader.

Furthermore, proper grammar and punctuation should be used to ensure clarity and readability.

By paying attention to these aspects, the article can be transformed into a more well-written and engaging piece of work.
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tamahomeanime
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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**Title: A Brief Overview of [Philosopher's Name]'s Philosophy**

**Chapter 1: Life and Character**

The philosopher's life was filled with unique experiences that shaped his character. Growing up in a particular environment, he was exposed to various ideas and influences that would later play a significant role in his philosophical pursuits. His inquisitive nature and thirst for knowledge led him on a path of exploration and discovery.



**Chapter 2: The Early Philosophy**

In the early stages of his philosophical journey, he delved into fundamental questions about the nature of reality, knowledge, and ethics. His early works were characterized by a certain approach and set of ideas that laid the foundation for his later developments. He grappled with the challenges of understanding the world around him and sought to offer novel perspectives.



**Chapter 3: The Later Philosophy**

As time passed, his philosophy evolved and underwent significant changes. He refined his earlier ideas, incorporated new insights, and explored different aspects of philosophy. The later philosophy was often more complex and nuanced, reflecting his deeper understanding and broader视野. It had a profound impact on subsequent generations of philosophers.



**Chapter 4: Wittgenstein and Recent Philosophy**

The philosopher's work also had a connection with Wittgenstein and recent philosophy. Wittgenstein's ideas influenced him in certain ways, and their philosophical dialogues and exchanges contributed to the development of both their thought. In recent philosophy, his ideas continue to be relevant and are studied and debated by scholars. His contributions have left a lasting mark on the field of philosophy.

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Mitsume
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Another philosopher in the series.

Though Ludwig Wittgenstein is considered one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, I first encountered him not through philosophy courses but as a trivia in a Digital Logic Circuits book during my university days. He was attributed as the inventor of the Logic Truth Table. Here, in his early work "Tractatus", he defined the truth-functions p&q, pvq, and not, which became the standard in logic. "Tractatus" is a remarkable book. It is very short yet provides a concise summary of his profound thoughts.
\n  \n   
1 The world is everything that is the case.
1.1 The world is the totality of facts, not of things.
2 What is the case * a fact * is the existence of states of affairs.
2.01 An atomic fact is a combination of objects
2.02 The object is simple.

2.04 The totality of existing states of affairs is the world.
2.05 The totality of existing states of affairs also determines which
states of affairs do not exist.
2.06 The existence and non-existence of states of affairs is reality.
\n  \n

One day, I hope to read both "Tractatus" and his later work "Investigations" to gain a deeper understanding of his philosophical ideas and their significance in the history of philosophy.
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KapengBarako
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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As I perceive myself to be a kind of Wittgenstein guru,

I cannot truly assert that I gleaned a great deal from this book.

On the contrary, after distributing copies of "Philosophical Investigations" to numerous individuals and realizing that they never perused it,

I am now firmly convinced that one must offer people other books to read.

Monk's biography is enjoyable for getting a sense of what Wittgenstein is all about, yet not quite sufficient for comprehending his philosophy.

This extremely concise introduction is precisely what I was seeking.

What I found particularly amusing are the small jabs that Grayling takes.

He is evidently very committed to some reductivist philosophy and is reluctant to admit the truth that Wittgenstein presents.

So it is highly entertaining to witness Wittgenstein being presented by his detractors.

Nonetheless, Grayling does a commendable job of communicating many of the key points in a lucid manner.
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Shadostepz
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This made me think.

It really got my mind working and led me to consider various aspects.

I started to reflect on the significance of this particular thing that had triggered my thoughts.

Maybe it was a small incident, but it had a profound impact on me.

I began to analyze the possible reasons behind it and how it could potentially affect my future actions and decisions.

It made me realize that sometimes, even the tiniest of things can have a big influence.

I also thought about how I could use this newfound understanding to my advantage.

Perhaps I could apply the lessons learned from this experience to similar situations in the future.

Overall, this simple thought-provoking moment has opened my eyes and made me more aware of the world around me.

It has shown me that there is always something to learn and consider, no matter how insignificant it may seem at first glance.

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itarusaki
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I came to read about why Wittgenstein is considered the most important philosopher of the 20th century.

However, to my surprise, I found out that it is actually Bertrand Russell.

Wittgenstein is indeed a highly influential philosopher, but Russell's contributions are equally significant.

Russell made important advancements in logic, mathematics, and philosophy of language.

His work had a profound impact on the development of analytic philosophy.

He was also a prolific writer and thinker, covering a wide range of topics.

While Wittgenstein's ideas are unique and valuable, Russell's work cannot be overlooked.

Together, they both played crucial roles in shaping the philosophical landscape of the 20th century.

Understanding the contributions of both philosophers is essential for a comprehensive understanding of modern philosophy.
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