The Early Wittgenstein on Metaphysics, Natural Science, Language and Value (Routledge Studies in Twentieth-Century Philosophy)

This book advances a reading of Wittgenstein’s __Tractatus__ that moves beyond the main interpretative options of the New Wittgenstein debate. It covers Wittgenstein’s approach to language and logic, as well as other areas unduly neglected in the literature, such as his treatment of metaphysics, the natural sciences and value. Tejedor re-contextualises Wittgenstein’s thinking in these areas, plotting its evolution in his diaries, correspondence and pre-__Tractatus__ texts, and developing a fuller picture of its intellectual background. This broadening of the angle of view is central to the interpretative strategy of her book: only by looking at the __Tractatus__ in this richer light can we address the fundamental questions posed by the New Wittgenstein debate – questions concerning the method of the __Tractatus__, its approach to nonsense and the continuity in Wittgenstein’s philosophy. Wittgenstein’s early work remains insightful, thought-inspiring and relevant to contemporary philosophy of language and science, metaphysics and ethics. Tejedor’s ground-breaking work ultimately conveys a surprisingly positive message concerning the power for ethical transformation that philosophy can have, when it is understood as an activity aimed at increasing conceptual clarification and awareness. This book advances a reading of Wittgenstein’s Tractatus that moves beyond the main interpretative options of the New Wittgenstein debate. It covers Wittgenstein’s approach to language and logic, as well as other areas unduly neglected in the literature, such as his treatment of metaphysics, the natural sciences and value. Tejedor re-contextualises Wittgenstein’s thinking in these areas, plotting its evolution in his diaries, correspondence and pre- Tractatus texts, and developing a fuller picture of its intellectual background. This broadening of the angle of view is central to the interpretative strategy of her book: only by looking at the Tractatus in this richer light can we address the fundamental questions posed by the New Wittgenstein debate – questions concerning the method of the Tractatus , its approach to nonsense and the continuity in Wittgenstein’s philosophy. Wittgenstein’s early work remains insightful, thought-inspiring and relevant to contemporary philosophy of language and science, metaphysics and ethics. Tejedor’s ground-breaking work ultimately conveys a surprisingly positive message concerning the power for ethical transformation that philosophy can have, when it is understood as an activity aimed at increasing conceptual clarification and awareness. Cover 1 Title 8 Copyright 9 Dedication 10 Contents 12 List of Figures 14 Acknowledgements 16 Abbreviations 18 Note on the Translations 20 Introduction: The Status of the Tractatus 24 1 An Essence to Logical Representation 38 2 Dissolving the Subject: Solipsism and the Self 69 3 Psychology, Philosophy and the Mechanistic Approach of Metaphysics 96 4 Causation and the Principles of the Natural Sciences 114 5 On the Relative Position of Logic, Science and Natural Languages 142 6 The Ethical Purpose of the Tractatus 161 Conclusion: Wittgenstein鈥檚 Method and the Continuity in His Philosophy 179 Appendix: Entailment and the Logical Independence of Elementary Propositions 192 Bibliography 194 Index 206 This text advances a reading of Wittgenstein's Tractatus that moves beyond the main interpretative options of the New Wittgenstein debate. It covers Wittgenstein's approach to language and logic, as well as other areas unduly neglected in the literature, such as his treatment of metaphysics, the natural sciences and value. Tejedor re-contextualizes Wittgenstein's thinking in these areas, plotting its evolution in his diaries, correspondence, and pre-Tractatus texts, and developing a fuller picture of its intellectual background The Status Of The Tractatus -- An Essence To Logical Representation -- Dissolving The Subject: Solipsism And The Self -- Psychology, Philosophy, And The Mechanistic Approach Of Metaphysics -- Causation And The Principles Of The Natural Sciences -- On The Relative Position Of Logic, Science, And Natural Languages -- The Ethical Purpose Of The Tractatus -- Wittgenstein's Method And The Continuity In His Philosophy. By Chon Tejedor. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.