Signs of Sense: Reading Wittgenstein’s <i>Tractatus</i>

This work seeks to shed light on one of the most enigmatic masterpieces of twentieth-century thought. At the heart of Eli Friedlander's interpretation is the internal relation between the logical and the ethical in the __Tractatus__, a relation that emerges in the work of drawing the limits of language. To show how the __Tractatus__, far from separating the ethical and the logical into distinct domains, instead brings out their essential affinity, Friedlander focuses on Wittgenstein's use of the term "form," particularly his characterization of the form of objects. In this reading, the concept of form points to a threefold distinction in the text among the problematics of facts, objects, and the world. Most important, it provides a key to understanding how Wittgenstein's work opens a perspective on the world through the recognition of the form of objects rather than through the grasping of facts—thus revealing the dimensions of subjectivity involved in having a world, or in assuming that form of experience apart from systematic logic. Bearing on the question of the divide between analytic and Continental philosophy, this interpretation views Wittgenstein's work as a possible mediation between these two central philosophical traditions of the modern age. It will interest Wittgenstein scholars as well as anyone concerned with twentieth-century philosophy. At The Heart Of Eli Friedlander's Interpretation Is The Internal Relation Between The Logical And The Ethical In The Tractatus, A Relation That Emerges In The Work Of Drawing The Limits Of Language. To Show How The Tractatus, Far From Separating The Ethical And The Logical Into Distinct Domains, Instead Brings Out Their Essential Affinity, Friedlander Focuses On Wittgenstein's Use Of The Term Form, Particularly His Characterization Of The Form Of Objects. In This Reading, The Concept Of Form Points To A Threefold Distinction In The Text Among The Problematics Of Facts, Objects, And The World. Most Important, It Provides A Key To Understanding How Wittgenstein's Work Opens A Perspective On The World Through The Recognition Of The Form Of Objects Rather Than Through The Grasping Of Facts - Thus Revealing The Dimensions Of Subjectivity Involved In Having A World, Or In Assuming That Form Of Experience Apart From Systematic Logic. Bearing On The Question Of The Divide Between Analytic And Continental Philosophy, This Interpretation Views Wittgenstein's Work As A Possible Mediation Between These Two Central Philosophical Traditions Of The Modern Age. It Will Be Of Interest Not Only To Wittgenstein Scholars But To Anyone Concerned With Twentieth-century Philosophy.--jacket. Eli Friedlander. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 219-223) And Index. "At the heart of Eli Friedlander's interpretation is the internal relation between the logical and the ethical in the Tractatus, a relation that emerges in the work of drawing the limits of language. To show how the Tractatus, far from separating the ethical and the logical into distinct domains, instead brings out their essential affinity, Friedlander focuses on Wittgenstein's use of the term "form," particularly his characterization of the form of objects. In this reading, the concept of form points to a threefold distinction in the text among the problematics of facts, objects, and the world. Most important, it provides a key to understanding how Wittgenstein's work opens a perspective on the world through the recognition of the form of objects rather than through the grasping of facts - thus revealing the dimensions of subjectivity involved in having a world, or in assuming that form of experience apart from systematic logic.". "Bearing on the question of the divide between analytic and Continental philosophy, this interpretation views Wittgenstein's work as a possible mediation between these two central philosophical traditions of the modern age. It will be of interest not only to Wittgenstein scholars but to anyone concerned with twentieth-century philosophy."--BOOK JACKET. Acknowledgments Contents Abbreviations Preface Introduction Figures of Writing Part One 1. Logic Apart 2. The Form of Objects 3. “We Make to Ourselves Pictures of Facts” 4. Signs and Sense 5. The Symbolic Order 6. The Grammar of Analysis 7. Making Sense and Recognizing Meaning 8. Subject and World 9. Ethics in Language 10. A Demanding Silence Part Two 11. On Some Central Debates Concerning the Tractatus 12. On Wittgenstein’s Dissatisfaction with the Tractatus Works Cited / Index Works Cited Index At the heart of this interpretation of Wittgenstein's "Tractatus" is the internal relationship between the logical and the ethical. The text focuses on the philosopher's use of the term "form" to view his work as a possible mediation between the traditions of analytic and continental philosophy. Biographical note: FriedlanderEli: Eli Friedlander is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Tel-Aviv University