Wittgenstein
LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN
Tom Galey
Advanced Hermeneutics
March 19, 2012
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Biographical Information
Ludwig Wittgenstein is considered by many to be one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, particularly in the philosophy of logic and language. His philosophical career is divided into 2 distinct eras: the early and the later Wittgenstein, where he wrote his 2 most influential works, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and Philosophical Investigations respectively. Born in Vienna, Austria into a wealthy industrial family, Wittgenstein desired to become an aeronaut. In 1908 he began his studies at Manchester University in the United Kingdom, but his courses in the pure philosophy of mathematics sparked an interest in him for philosophy, which in turn lead him to Gottlob Frege. Gottlob Frege, considered to be one of the founders of modern logic, was a German mathematician and philosopher who worked in the area of analytic philosophy, particularly the philosophy of language and mathematics. He encouraged Wittgenstein to attend Cambridge and study under Bertrand Russell. Wittgenstein entered Trinity College, Cambridge on February 1, 1912 as an undergraduate student; however, by June the degree committee recommended him as an advanced student and asked Bertrand Russell to supervise his studies. He studied logic and the philosophy of numbers under Russell and G. E. Moore, who both later commented that getting to know Wittgenstein was one of the most exciting and intellectual adventures of their lives. The story is told that Russell asked Moore if he thought Wittgenstein to be a genius or a crank, to which he replied; “A genius. Russell asked why…. Moore replied: ‘Because he’s the only man who looks puzzled at my lectures!’” Wittgenstein developed a very close relationship with Russell and, before long, was discussing philosophy with him, Moore and John Maynard Keynes as equals. At the end of his first semester, Russell felt he had
Tom Galey
Advanced Hermeneutics
March 19, 2012
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Biographical Information
Ludwig Wittgenstein is considered by many to be one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, particularly in the philosophy of logic and language. His philosophical career is divided into 2 distinct eras: the early and the later Wittgenstein, where he wrote his 2 most influential works, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and Philosophical Investigations respectively. Born in Vienna, Austria into a wealthy industrial family, Wittgenstein desired to become an aeronaut. In 1908 he began his studies at Manchester University in the United Kingdom, but his courses in the pure philosophy of mathematics sparked an interest in him for philosophy, which in turn lead him to Gottlob Frege. Gottlob Frege, considered to be one of the founders of modern logic, was a German mathematician and philosopher who worked in the area of analytic philosophy, particularly the philosophy of language and mathematics. He encouraged Wittgenstein to attend Cambridge and study under Bertrand Russell. Wittgenstein entered Trinity College, Cambridge on February 1, 1912 as an undergraduate student; however, by June the degree committee recommended him as an advanced student and asked Bertrand Russell to supervise his studies. He studied logic and the philosophy of numbers under Russell and G. E. Moore, who both later commented that getting to know Wittgenstein was one of the most exciting and intellectual adventures of their lives. The story is told that Russell asked Moore if he thought Wittgenstein to be a genius or a crank, to which he replied; “A genius. Russell asked why…. Moore replied: ‘Because he’s the only man who looks puzzled at my lectures!’” Wittgenstein developed a very close relationship with Russell and, before long, was discussing philosophy with him, Moore and John Maynard Keynes as equals. At the end of his first semester, Russell felt he had
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