Simplified Blue and Brown Books (Harper Perennial Modern Thought)

These works, as the sub-title makes clear, are unfinished sketches for Philosophical Investigations, possibly the most important and influential philosophical work of modern times. The 'Blue Book' is a set of notes dictated to Witgenstein's Cambridge students in 1933-1934, while the 'Brown Book' was a draft for what eventually became the growth of the first part of Philosophical Investigations. This book reveals the germination and growth of the ideas which found their final expression in Witgenstein's later work. It is indispensable therefore to students of Witgenstein's thought and to all those who wish to study at first-hand the mental processes of a thinker who fundamentally changed the course of modern philosophy.

The 'Blue Book' and the 'Brown Book' are unfinished sketches for Witgenstein's Philosophical Investigations, a work that is considered by many to be the most important and influential philosophical work of the modern era. The 'Blue Book' consists of notes dictated by Witgenstein to his Cambridge students in 1933-1934, while the 'Brown Book' was a draft that eventually became the first part of the Philosophical Investigations.

This book provides an invaluable insight into the development and maturation of the ideas that would ultimately find their full expression in Witgenstein's later work. It is an indispensable resource for students of Witgenstein's thought, as well as for anyone who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of the mental processes of a thinker whose ideas have had a profound and lasting impact on the course of modern philosophy.

The significance of these works lies in their ability to shed light on the evolution of Witgenstein's philosophical approach, revealing the germination and growth of the concepts that would come to define his later writings. By studying these unfinished sketches, readers can gain a unique and intimate perspective on the workings of a brilliant and influential mind, and trace the development of ideas that have shaped the landscape of modern philosophical discourse.

For students and scholars alike, this book is an essential resource, offering a rare glimpse into the thought processes of a thinker who fundamentally changed the way we approach and understand the fundamental questions of human existence. Through these unfinished works, we are granted access to the very heart of Witgenstein's philosophical journey, and can better appreciate the depth and complexity of his contributions to the field.

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