Wittgenstein (Critical Lives)

Ludwig Wittgenstein, considered the greatest philosopher since Immanuel Kant, had a personal life, work, and historical moment that were intricately intertwined in a fascinating and complex web. In the acclaimed Critical Lives series, noted scholar Edward Kanterian explores these intersections in the newest title, Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Wittgenstein's works, from the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus to the posthumously published Philosophical Investigations, are notoriously dense, but Kanterian skillfully distills them, proposing thought-provoking new interpretations. However, the philosopher's passions were not solely confined to theoretical musings; the book also explores Wittgenstein's immersion in art and music, as well as his social position as a member of the sophisticated Viennese upper class at the turn of the century.

Wittgenstein's personal and professional relationships offer insights into his thoughts, as he was friends with some of the greatest thinkers of the twentieth century, including John Maynard Keynes, George Edward Moore, Bertrand Russell, and Gilbert Royle. The philosopher was also deeply tormented by ethical and religious questions, and Kanterian argues that his internal turmoil gives us a deeper understanding of the important conflicts and tensions of his age.

Ultimately, the author contends that Wittgenstein's life reveals insights into the ethical quandaries of our own time. Readers will find this a readable and concise account, making Ludwig Wittgenstein an informative and accessible introduction to one of the greatest thinkers of our age.

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