Table of Contents
What should I read before Wittgenstein?
Something like the The Oxford Illustrated History of Western Philosophy and/or The Oxford Companion to Philosophy might be a good place to start, and will give you an introduction to both general concepts and to Wittgenstein’s work more specifically.
What should I read to start philosophy?
The Best Philosophy Books for Beginners
- Plato: Five Dialogues by Plato.
- The Emperor’s New Mind by Roger Penrose.
- Mengzi: With Selections from Traditional Commentaries translated by Bryan W.
- Meno by Plato.
- Republic by Plato.
- Discourse on Method by Rene Descartes.
- Symposium by Plato.
- The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins.
How do you read a philosophy reading?
Reading Philosophical Texts
- Do the assigned reading. The philosophical texts simply are the content of the course; if you do not read, you will not learn.
- Consider the context.
- Take your time.
- Spot crucial passages.
- Identify central theses.
- Locate supportive arguments.
- Assess the arguments.
- Look for connections.
How difficult is Wittgenstein?
Ludwig Wittgenstein is a notoriously difficult philosopher to read, let alone understand. Help is here in the form of one of the volumes in W.W. Norton’s new “How to Read” series. They are short books made up of selections from the person’s work, followed by elucidation by an expert.
What should I read before Wittgenstein Reddit?
I would suggest starting with the Tractatus, alongside one or more of: Anscombe, G.E.M., An Introduction to Wittgenstein’s Tractatus (London: Hutchinson, 1959).
How do I start doing philosophy?
6 tips for teaching yourself philosophy
- Start from a position of ignorance.
- Expect to go slowly.
- Read when you are most alert.
- Pick whatever interests you the most.
- Get a philosophical dictionary.
- Familiarize yourself with the history of Western Thought.
Should I read Wittgenstein’s introduction?
If you prefer more depth, you can choose a more comprehensive introduction or read Wittgenstein for yourself. It’s also worth noting that it is not a list of personal recommendations. Personal book recommendations tend to be highly subjective, idiosyncratic, and unreliable.
What is Wittgenstein’s style of writing?
Though Wittgenstein wrote on the same subjects that dominate the work of other analytic philosophers ― the nature of logic, the limits of language, the analysis of meaning ― he did so in a peculiarly poetic style that separates his work sharply from that of his peers and makes the question of how to read him particularly pertinent.
Who was Wittgenstein and what did he do?
Wittgenstein was a tortured man who fought his calling in philosophy and never fully came to terms with his gifts. A reluctant Cambridge don, he was uncomfortable in the university setting and believed that a professor could not be an authentic philosopher.