In Ludwig Wittgenstein's writings, ethics takes a central place in his thinking. This element investigates his engagement with ethics in both early and later thinking. Starting from the remarks on ethics in the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and the framing of these remarks, it presents two influential approaches to Tractarian ethics, before it develops a coherent reading of ethics in the early thinking, focusing on ethical silence and the relationship notions of world and the philosophical 'I'.

The reading of 'A Lecture on Ethics' focuses on the critique of ethical theory and the personal dimension of ethics, two themes also running through Wittgenstein's later thinking. It considers Wittgenstein's later ethical investigations, of ethical examples, ethically relevant language uses of language and the connections between reflections on ethics and living. It also considers the role of the other in Wittgenstein's later thinking.

Two influential approaches to Tractarian ethics are presented. The first approach emphasizes the ethical silence in the Tractatus, arguing that ethics cannot be said, but only shown. The second approach interprets the remarks on ethics as a rejection of ethical theorizing and a redirection towards the practical and lived dimension of ethics. A coherent reading of ethics in the early thinking is then developed, focusing on the relationship between the notions of world and the philosophical 'I'.

In 'A Lecture on Ethics', Wittgenstein critiques ethical theory and emphasizes the personal dimension of ethics, themes that also run through his later thinking. His later ethical investigations consider ethical examples, ethically relevant language uses, and the connections between reflections on ethics and living. The role of the other is also explored in Wittgenstein's later thinking.

Overall, this element highlights the centrality of ethics in Wittgenstein's philosophical development, from his early remarks in the Tractatus to his later ethical investigations. It presents a nuanced understanding of the evolution of Wittgenstein's engagement with ethics, considering both the theoretical and practical dimensions of his ethical thought.

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