NationStates Jolt Archive

Recently - that is, in the last half-year or so - I have become rather absorbed by Wittgenstein's remarks on philosophy. I was introduced to him in a college-level philosophy class, and the professor was rather taken with him as well and used his way of treating philosophical problems in the class. Previously, I had some interest in philosophy (mostly morality-related), but Wittgenstein is the only philosopher that has ever seemed to really offer a solution to some problems that are encountered in philosophy (philosophical skepticism, Cartesian dualism, etc). He's certainly the only one I have ever wanted to read more of! :D I have been so fascinated that he is pretty much all I've been reading for the past several months - I've purchased several books by him (Tractatus, Philosophical Investigations, Culture & Value, On Certainty, Blue & Brown Books, Remarks on the Foundations of Mathematics, etc). So far, I have only read the PI, C&V, and am working through the whole of the Tractatus with my professor after he finishes with his morning class.

I was just curious if anyone else liked Wittgenstein's philosophy. I have found it very interesting; to think of how language is... wrapped around our lives and the world so closely as to be impossible to meaningfully separate was definitely a new point of view for me (yes, I am aware of the questionable nature of this sentence, but I am taking Wittgenstein's example of the Tractatus as an excuse :p). So: anyone else enjoy him?

yep, me like him too. I did a year 3 philosophy paper yonks ago and, like you, Wittgenstein was the only one who really 'spoke' to me.
ever see the movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108583/)? It was ok, not bad.

And Wittgenstein was a beery swine
Who was just as schloshed as Schlegel. :)

I don't seem able to quite grasp the need to derive an illusion of order from chaos.

I like to tackle things. :)

I was just curious if anyone else liked Wittgenstein's philosophy. I have found it very interesting; to think of how language is... wrapped around our lives and the world so closely as to be impossible to meaningfully separate was definitely a new point of view for me (yes, I am aware of the questionable nature of this sentence, but I am taking Wittgenstein's example of the Tractatus as an excuse :p). So: anyone else enjoy him?

I do, though some of his basic presumptions are based on quicksand. As is the case with every philosopher ...

(I also admire his brother Paul, but that's another story entirely.)

Meh. I've had a flick through some of his works, but haven't had time to really focus on them. Wittgenstein's answers seemed to be essentially what I already thought, and I tend not to spend too much time on philosophers who I generally agree with. There were a few nice sound bites, though.

There's a nice book called Wittgenstein's Poker - which I've read but have no memory of the details, about some fight with another philosopher.

That's pretty much my attitude to him, I can read him, I might nod in places but I instantly forget about him.

EDIT: Here's the account (http://books.guardian.co.uk/firstbook2001/story/0,10486,603100,00.html), it's an interesting story in retrospect but as I said, I forgot the details.

I don't seem able to quite grasp the need to derive an illusion of order from chaos.

I like to tackle things. :)
preferably in mud too, huh?
The philosophy of the Goofball: Nothing is so complex that it cannot be solved with mud.

preferably in mud too, huh?
The philosophy of the Goofball: Nothing is so complex that it cannot be solved with mud.

Mud saves lives. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti25Fb9AvQA

yep, me like him too. I did a year 3 philosophy paper yonks ago and, like you, Wittgenstein was the only one who really 'spoke' to me.
ever see the movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108583/)? It was ok, not bad.Never saw the movie, although I have seen some clips of it on youtube - to be honest I kinda cringed. I think I like reading Wittgenstein better than watching someone portray him. :D

I do, though some of his basic presumptions are based on quicksand. As is the case with every philosopher ...Would this refer to the Tractatus or the Philosophical Investigations? While I have been quite taken by Wittgenstein, I am interested in objections to his philosophy - don't want to get stuck in a rut that I can't get out of. :)

There's a nice book called Wittgenstein's Poker - which I've read but have no memory of the details, about some fight with another philosopher.

That's pretty much my attitude to him, I can read him, I might nod in places but I instantly forget about him.

EDIT: Here's the account (http://books.guardian.co.uk/firstbook2001/story/0,10486,603100,00.html), it's an interesting story in retrospect but as I said, I forgot the details.I have heard of that encounter referenced, but didn't know there was a book about it. Thanks! I imagine it would be pretty funny to read; Wittgenstein waving a poker around and shouting "YOU MUST BE SILENT!" :D