[lbo-talk] Wittgenstein...

joanna bujes jbujes at covad.net
Wed Oct 27 22:53:54 PDT 2004


Yeah, he did give up his fortune and helped many artists, chief among whom was Rilke. That's not shabby.

I think he also wrote some of the most interesting, profound, and useful philosophy of the 20th century. I only made it through the Investigations and the Blue/Brown Notebooks. He uses very, very, very simple language. I couldn't deal with the Tractatus, but then he pretty much disowned later in life, so I didn't feel like I needed to bother.

I highly recommed his writing, but I warn the reader that W should only be read one or two pages at a time. His stuff needs to be digested and mulled over. I do not recommend reading any of his interpreters. Just read his stuff. He wants you to get it. He is not trying to be obscure, and he is not a system builder. In fact he is one of the best critics ever of the pitfalls attending our attempts to "organize" truth. I think he should be required reading for anyone going for a Ph.D. in anything.

Joanna



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