The biographical notes provided are disappointingly shallow and empty.

It gives the impression that Grayling fails to truly grasp the significance of the philosopher.

At certain moments, it even appears as if he believes himself to be wiser than the philosopher.

This lack of depth and respect in the portrayal is quite concerning.

One would expect a more comprehensive and insightful treatment of a philosopher's life and work.

Instead, what we have here seems to be a rather cursory and dismissive account.

It makes one question whether Grayling has done justice to the subject matter or if he is simply approaching it from an incorrect perspective.

Overall, the current state of the biographical notes leaves much to be desired and calls for a more thorough and thoughtful examination.

As Ludwig Wittgenstein's philosophical journey progressed, he underwent a profound transformation in his views on language. While most philosophers make incremental adjustments to their ideas, Wittgenstein deviated significantly from his earlier work. He ultimately came to understand language, especially its relationship to meaning and truth, as being free from specific, objective, and systematic limitations. A. C. Grayling clarifies that the philosophical community gradually accepted these ideas about language (at least as a broad philosophical concept).

However, a dilemma emerges when philosophers try to reconcile Wittgenstein's explanations of problems and misunderstandings. Wittgenstein's response is language itself, specifically its consistent capacity to "bewitch" speakers. As Grayling elaborates, Wittgenstein perceives language as too unstable and potentially too influenced by the community in its construction. Consequently, Wittgenstein's interpretation of language leaves later philosophers either confused or skeptical.

Grayling presents all of this in clear and concise prose. On the final page of Wittgenstein: A Very Short Introduction, he offers a concluding statement about Wittgenstein's standing, at least from his perspective:

Like many others, I cannot help but be impressed by the unique nature of Wittgenstein's writings, which impart a peculiarly original flavor even to thoughts and viewpoints that, in a more ordinary guise, are quite familiar. But I find that when one moves beyond the style and contemplates the substance, the inescapable feeling is this: that the path through Wittgenstein's circuitous, metaphorical, and sometimes obscure negations and suggestions is long; yet the distance it traverses is short. (143)

This assessment by Grayling encapsulates the complex and somewhat paradoxical nature of Wittgenstein's philosophical contributions, leaving readers to grapple with the implications of his ideas.

Wittgenstein is widely regarded by many as the most profound philosopher of the 20th century. This is rather ironic because he himself thought that most of what is commonly called philosophy is pure garbage, stemming from our misunderstanding of how language functions. He believed that if we properly understood language, the problems of philosophy would simply 'dissolve' rather than being resolved in the traditional sense.

Wittgenstein was a classic mysterious figure in the philosophical world. Born into a very wealthy family in Austria, his perspective on wealth changed dramatically after serving in the First World War. He lost his appetite for material possessions and chose to give away his considerable fortunes to his siblings. From then on, he led an ascetic life. The only degree he held in his lifetime was a PhD. He was homeschooled in his childhood and didn't complete any of the colleges he enrolled in. Eventually, he obtained his PhD from Cambridge based on his manuscript of 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus'. Throughout his life, he had a diverse range of professions, including being a schoolteacher, gardener, architect, and finally a college professor. He read very little of ancient philosophy, deeming it mostly vacuous. Moreover, he despised academic philosophy and actively dissuaded his students from pursuing an academic career.

He published only one book during his lifetime, and another was posthumously published in his name. Interestingly, in his later life, he revised the core tenets of his early philosophy, a phenomenon not often seen among philosophers. In his early works, he wrote with mathematical rigor, using terse and precise language and paying little attention to lyrical beauty. However, in his later life, his writings became more diffuse, unsystematic, and obscure.

Wittgenstein essentially posited that the structure and logic of language limit the meaningful questions we can pose in philosophy. Most philosophical questions would appear nonsensical if we closely examined them under the microscope of linguistic logic. Since most questions are nonsensical, the answers to these questions would also be devoid of meaning. We cannot meaningfully discuss them.

This led him to pronounce his famous quotation: 'Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must remain silent'. However, this does not imply that those questions are unimportant. In fact, Wittgenstein argued that the questions about which we cannot speak are the most profound ones. In this regard, I believe he echoes the views of Eastern sages such as Buddha or Lao Tzu, who asserted that thoughts and languages have inherent limitations in capacity and that the ultimate truth cannot be fully expressed through language.

Unfortunately, this book is, for the most part, hardly readable. It is充斥着冗长复杂的句子，缺乏清晰性。I'm only not rating it one star to pay some homage to Wittgenstein.

Ludwig Wittgenstein is a highly influential philosopher.

His thought underwent significant development. In his early work, such as the "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus," he presented a view that language has a precise structure that mirrors the world. He believed that the limits of language determine the limits of thought.

Later in his life, Wittgenstein's perspective changed. In his "Philosophical Investigations," he emphasized the importance of language games and the context in which words are used. He argued that meaning is not fixed but emerges from the practical activities and social interactions of speakers.

Wittgenstein's thought has had a profound impact on philosophy, especially in the areas of language, logic, and mind. His ideas have challenged traditional ways of thinking and inspired new lines of research. However, his work is also highly complex and often difficult to understand, which has led to different interpretations and ongoing debates among scholars. Overall, Wittgenstein's thought is a rich and important contribution to the history of philosophy.

This book is actually very anti-Wittgenstein.

Wittgenstein is a highly influential philosopher, and this book seems to take a stance that goes against his ideas and theories.

It may present arguments and perspectives that challenge the fundamental concepts put forward by Wittgenstein.

Perhaps the author of this book has a different understanding of language, logic, or the nature of philosophy itself.

By being anti-Wittgenstein, it is likely that the book aims to offer an alternative view and stimulate further discussion and debate within the philosophical community.

It could potentially引发新的思考 and research directions, as scholars and readers engage with the ideas presented in the book and compare them to Wittgenstein's work.

Overall, the fact that this book is anti-Wittgenstein makes it an interesting and potentially significant contribution to the field of philosophy.

Every "Very Short Introduction" is truly worth a read.

This particular one on Wittgenstein is a concise and highly accessible summary of his life and thought.

It presents the complex ideas and concepts of Wittgenstein in a way that is easy to understand, even for those who may not have a deep background in philosophy.

The author has done an excellent job of distilling the essence of Wittgenstein's work and presenting it in a clear and engaging manner.

It is exactly what it claims to be - a very short introduction that provides a valuable overview of Wittgenstein's contributions to philosophy.

Whether you are a student of philosophy looking for a quick refresher or someone who is simply interested in learning more about Wittgenstein, this book is well worth your time.

It offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century.

Language is an incredibly cool and fascinating thing.

It has the power to convey ideas, emotions, and stories in ways that are truly remarkable.

Different languages around the world have their own unique structures, vocabularies, and sounds, each adding to the rich tapestry of human communication.

Whether it's the elegance of French, the precision of German, or the expressiveness of Spanish, every language has its own charm.

Language also allows us to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds, bridging the gap between us and helping us to understand and appreciate their perspectives.

It is a tool for learning, for sharing, and for creating.

In short, language is not just cool and shit, but an essential part of what makes us human.

It's easier to read than VSI: Hegel.

Perhaps, the latter is either too sophisticated or I'm simply not accustomed to reading such works. As I was reading it and also checking out other reviews, I got intimidated by the fact that the expressive logic might not be easy for me to catch. However, it turns out that's not the case at all.

Surprisingly, the author did not attempt to persuade us to read Wittgenstein's. In fact, this particular piece seems to have its own unique charm and value that stands on its own. It presents ideas in a way that is more accessible and engaging compared to what I initially expected from a work related to Hegel.

Maybe this is a pleasant surprise that will encourage me to further explore and understand the concepts presented within it. It shows that sometimes, our initial impressions can be deceiving, and it's worth giving a work a chance before making hasty judgments.

Overall, I'm looking forward to seeing where this reading journey takes me and what more I can discover about this interesting subject matter.

A Promising Start

I had a promising start when I began reading this article. However, my enthusiasm quickly waned as I delved into Chapter 2. The 50 pages dedicated mostly to Wittgenstein's Tractatus felt rather tedious to me. What's more, it didn't improve when it came to his later works. For me, reading about Wittgenstein's work in this particular context has been a waste of time.

Thankfully, there was a glimmer of hope in the form of the biography. It was quite engaging and held my interest. Interestingly, Alain de Botton manages to do a better job in less than seven minutes. You can check out his video on YouTube titled "PHILOSOPHY - Ludwig Wittgenstein". The link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ33g.... It offers a more concise and perhaps more accessible perspective on Wittgenstein's philosophy. Overall, while the initial part about Wittgenstein's work was a letdown, the biography and the alternative resource provided by Alain de Botton offer some redeeming qualities.

I was reading "The Duty of Genius" and halfway through, I felt that the introduction of Wittgenstein's thoughts interspersed in his life story still seemed a bit scattered and vague. So I first finished reading this "Very Short Introduction".

Grayling seems to explain Wittgenstein's ideas more clearly than expounding on his own criticisms and refutations.

He presents Wittgenstein's complex philosophical concepts in a relatively accessible way, making it easier for readers to understand.

However, it should be noted that this is just a very short introduction, and it cannot fully cover all aspects of Wittgenstein's profound thought.

To have a more in-depth understanding, further study of Wittgenstein's original works and related research is necessary.

Overall, this "Very Short Introduction" provides a good starting point for those who are interested in Wittgenstein's philosophy.

Although I highly disagree with most of Mr. Wittgenstein's insights, this is a thoroughly written introduction.

It presents his ideas in a clear and organized manner, allowing the reader to gain a初步 understanding of his complex philosophical concepts.

The author has done a great job of dissecting Wittgenstein's work and highlighting its key aspects.

Despite my differences with Wittgenstein, I can appreciate the effort that went into writing this introduction.

It serves as a valuable resource for those interested in learning more about his philosophy.

Overall, it is a well-written piece that provides a good starting point for further exploration.

Whether you agree or disagree with Wittgenstein, this introduction is worth reading.

It’s rather amusing how, at times, authors within the Oxford Very Short Introductions series seemingly have an aversion to their subject matter. Singer’s notoriously poor book on Hegel stands as a prime illustration, and this volume penned by A.C. Grayling appears to be yet another instance.

Grayling seemingly undertook the task of writing this book mainly as an effort to burst the bubble of admiration surrounding Wittgenstein. He contends that both Wittgenstein’s earlier and later works are examples of subpar philosophizing. Moreover, he argues that Wittgenstein’s influence is far less extensive and significant than his exalted position within the canon of philosophy would lead us to believe. In my opinion, it seems inappropriate to present what is clearly a minority view that positions itself as challenging the dominant perception of Wittgenstein in a book intended to be a student’s initial introduction.

Frankly, his extremely negative stance on the influence of Wittgenstein seems blatantly incorrect, even by his own criteria. He claims that virtually no one subscribes to Wittgenstein’s central tenet that philosophical problems can be resolved through a close examination of our language. However, at the same time, how many people today are orthodox Kantians, let alone orthodox Aristotelians, two philosophers he cites as “important”? Dismissing all discussions of Wittgenstein’s thought as mere commentary, especially when that commentary involves many of the most crucial figures in analytic philosophy such as Davidson, Kripke, Anscombe, Brandom, McDowell, and so on, feels more like someone airing a personal grievance rather than a well-balanced scholarly perspective.