Books in the Ashgate Wittgensteinian Studies series

Takes a look at early discussions of the private language argument in the Vienna Circle and the influence of Wittgenstein's ideas. This book examines the relation between the early and later Wittgenstein on this subject.

Whilst Wittgenstein wrote significantly less on aesthetics than other topics like language, meaning and mind, what he had to say is no less significant for our modern understanding of the topic. These essays explore the themes developed by Wittgenstein in his writings on aesthetics.

An interest in 'being' is a concern with the nature of reality which is central to philosophy, and central to this concern is the question of whether humans can be in contact with reality. The author here engages Gadamer, Wittgenstein and Rhees, who have all contributed greatly to the discussion of this question.

This sustained examination shows that this volume breaks new ground with insights unprecedented in both Wittgenstein work and philosophy more broadly, giving us keys to the solution and dissolution of probkens that have plagued philosophy since Descartes such as philosophical scepticism and the mind-body problems.

Although universally recognised as one of the greatest of modern philosophers, Wittgenstein''s work in aesthetics has been unjustly neglected. This is the first book exclusively devoted to Wittgenstein''s aesthetics, exploring the themes developed by Wittgenstein in his own writing on aesthetics as well as the implications of Wittgenstein''s wider philosophical views for understanding central issues in aesthetics. Drawing together original contributions from leading international scholars, this book will be an important addition to studies of Wittgenstein''s thought, but its discussion of issues in literature, music and performing art, and criticism will also be of interest to many students of literary and cultural studies. Exploring three key themes - the capacity of the arts to illuminate our lives; the nature of the particular responses involved in understanding and appreciating works of art; the role of theory and principle in artistic and critical practice - the contributors address issues raised by contemporary philosophers of art, and seek to make connections between Wittgenstein''s work and that of other significant philosophies of art in the Western tradition. Displaying the best practice of modern philosophical writing - clarity, cogency, respect for but not blind obedience to common sense, argument illustrated with detailed examples, rejection of speculation and pretension - this book demonstrates how philosophy can make a valuable contribution to understanding the arts.

Rhees asks that if the existence of reality cannot be denied, then how can it be asserted either? Does it make sense to say that reality exists? If we speak of something existing, we speak of the conditions of its existence which are independent of the 'something' in question, so how can this be said about reality? What conditions can.

Wittgenstein was one of the greatest philosophers of the twentieth century.