Wittgenstein and the End of Philosophy : Neither Theory Nor Therapy

What is the true worth of Wittgenstein's contribution to philosophy? Answers to this question are strongly divided. However, most assessments rest on certain popular misreadings of his purpose. This book challenges both "theoretical" and "therapeutic" interpretations. In their place, it seeks to establish that, from beginning to end, Wittgenstein regarded clarification as the true end of philosophy. It argues that, properly understood, his approach exemplifies rather than betrays critical philosophy and provides a viable alternative to other contemporary offerings. Cover 1 Contents 8 Acknowledgements 10 Abbreviations 12 Introduction 14 1 A Focus on Logic 19 Introduction 19 From transcendental to dialectical logic 20 Russell's factual logic 28 Frege's laws of thought 43 Wittgenstein's insight 54 Conclusion 61 2 Just the Facts? 62 Introduction 62 Theoretical readings of the Tractatus 63 Tractarian metaphysics 65 The picture theory? 70 The aim of analysis 84 Conclusion 99 3 Seeking Clarity Throughout 100 Introduction 100 Doctrinal truths 100 Against the therapists 103 Elucidating elucidations 111 Letting the tension stand 113 From logical form to forms of life 116 Conclusion 139 4 Without Explanation 141 Introduction 141 Demystifying consciousness 141 Stuff and nonsense 142 Dennett's new state of consciousness 146 Wittgenstein's expressions 149 The rule-following paradox 155 Straight and sceptical solutions 165 Wittgenstein's stance 172 Conclusion 184 5 Before Realism and Idealism 187 Introduction 187 Williams' Wittgenstein 188 The failure of Malcolm's critique 190 A Davidsonian comparison 195 Wittgenstein exegesis 198 Conclusion 203 6 Description Alone 204 Introduction 204 Descriptions as reminders 205 Conceptual analysis and essence hunting 207 From analysis to revision 216 The rise of scientific naturalism 218 Contemplation, therapy or clarification 229 Conclusion 233 Notes 235 References 258 Index 266 A 266 B 266 C 266 D 267 E 267 F 268 G 268 H 268 I 269 J 269 K 269 L 269 M 270 N 271 O 271 P 271 Q 272 R 272 S 273 T 273 U 274 V 274 W 274 There Are A Number Of Fundamental Topics, Including 'reality', 'meaning' And 'logic', That Cannot Be Dealt With Properly Without An Appropriate Understanding Of The End And Limits Of Philosophy. In This Book, Daniel D. Hutto Draws On Wittgenstein's Insights Into How We Must Approach These Topics To Challenge The Idea That We Face A Simple, Methodological Choice In Philosophy: To Advance Theory Or To Attempt Therapy. Consideration Of These Topics Tells Against The Prevalent Opinion That Philosophy Is A Kind Of Theorizing, Scientific Or Otherwise. Yet This Should Not Lead Us To Think That Its Business Is Purely Therapeutic, Designed To Help Rid Us Of Such Ambitions And Attendant Confusions. It Is Possible To Deny That Philosophy Is Progressive, According To The Standard Conception, While Also Denying That It Is Wholly Negative And Deflationary. The Author Explores This Third Way By Expounding, Explicating And Defending Wittgenstein's Claim That Philosophy Clarifies Our Understanding Of Important Philosophical Matters.--jacket. 1. A Focus On Logic -- 2. Just The Facts? -- 3. Seeking Clarity Throughout -- 4. Without Explanation -- 5. Before Realism And Idealism -- 6. Description Alone. Daniel D. Hutto. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 245-252) And Index. There are a number of fundamental topics, including 'reality', 'meaning' and 'logic', that cannot be dealt with properly without an appropriate understanding of the end and limits of philosophy. In this book, Daniel D. Hutto draws on Wittgenstein's insights on how we must approach these topics to challenge the idea that we face a simple methodological choice in philosophy: to advance theory or to attempt therapy. Consideration of these topics tells against the prevalent opinion that philosophy is a kind of theorising, sceintific or otherwise. Yet, this should not lead us to think that its business is purely therapeutic, designed to help rid us of such ambitions and attendant confusions. It is possible to deny that philosophy is progressive, according the standard conception, while also denyign that it is wholly negative and deflationary. The author explores this third way by expounding, explicating and defending Wittgenstein's claim that philosophy clarifies our understanding of important philosophical matters What is the true worth of Wittgenstein's contribution to philosophy? Opinions are strongly divided, with many resting on misreadings of his purpose. This book challenges 'theoretical' and 'therapeutic' interpretations, proposing that Wittgenstein saw clarification as the true end of philosophy, that his approach exemplifies critical philosophy. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-5 A Focus on Logic....Pages 6-48 Just the Facts?....Pages 49-86 Seeking Clarity Throughout....Pages 87-127 Without Explanation....Pages 128-173 Before Realism and Idealism....Pages 174-190 Description Alone....Pages 191-221 Back Matter....Pages 222-261 I contend that what is characteristic of Wittgenstein's method throughout his writings finds early clear expression in the approach to logic espoused in the Tractatus.