Overview

This book examines in detail Ludwig Wittgenstein’s ideas on thought, thinking, will and intention, as those ideas developed over his lifetime. It also puts his ideas into context by a comparison both with preceding thinkers and with subsequent ones. The first chapter gives an account of the historical and philosophical background, discussing such thinkers as Plato, Descartes, Berkeley, Frege and Russell. The final chapter looks at the legacy of, and reactions to, Wittgenstein. These two chapters frame the central three chapters, devoted to Wittgenstein’s ideas on thought and will. Chapter 2 discusses the sense in which both thought and will represent, or are about, reality; Chapter 3 considers Wittgenstein’s critique of the picture of an inner process, and the role that behaviour and context play in his views on thought and will; while Chapter 4 centres on the question What sort of thing is it that thinks or wills?, in particular examining Wittgenstein’s ideas concerning the first person (I) and concerning statements like I am thinking or I intend to do X.

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9781844658596

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Reviews

This is an important book - both for scholars of Wittgenstein and for philosophers looking for a profound set of answers to classical questions that arise in philosophical discussions on mind (and body), language, reality, human behavior, and our criteria for understanding ourselves, the world, and one another. Interpreting and then using Wittgenstein to answer these perennial questions-or actually to present them as new questions or as no questions at all-is an exercise in doing and teaching philosophy that is to be cherished. - Anat Biletzki, Quinnipiac University, USA

Author Information

Roger Teichmann is Lecturer in Philosophy at St Hilda's College, University of Oxford, UK.

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