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Description
The purpose of this module is to present some of the central doctrines of Wittgenstein鈥檚 Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. The module focuses on the account offered in this book of the structure of reality and our ability to represent it in thought and language. We will also study ideas of Bertrand Russell and Gottlob Frege that are relevant for the development of Wittgenstein鈥檚 thought.
The module will enable you to understand these important ideas, overcoming the obscurity of Wittgenstein鈥檚 writing. This will contribute to your general understanding of the central philosophical issues that Wittgenstein addresses. It will also develop your ability to interpret difficult philosophical texts.
Topics covered by the module will include:
- Russell鈥檚 dual-relation theory of judgment
- Russell鈥檚 multiple-relation theory of judgment
- Russell and Wittgenstein on forms
- Wittgenstein鈥檚 picture theory
- Frege on unity and unsaturatedness
- Wittgenstein on the unity of the proposition
- Wittgenstein on the unity of facts
- Objects and expressions as common structural features
- Substance and simplicity
Teaching Delivery
The module will be delivered by weekly two-hour lecture/seminars, combining presentation of material by the lecturer and general discussion of the ideas presented. You will be expected to do preparatory reading for each session.
By the end of the module:
- You will have gained a deep understanding of some of the central ideas put forward by Wittgenstein in his early period.
- You will be able to connect Wittgenstein鈥檚 proposals to contemporary debates in metaphysics, philosophy of language and philosophy of mind.
- You will have enhanced your interpretative skills regarding difficult philosophical texts.
- You will have developed your ability to grasp and discuss highly abstract philosophical issues.
Recommended Reading
In preparation for the module, we advise reading the following core texts. These can be found in the 果冻影院 Library:
- Wittgenstein, Ludwig. 1974. Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Translated by D. F. Pears and B. McGuinness. 2nd ed. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul. Original edition, 1961.
- Zalabardo, Jos茅 L. 2015. Representation and Reality in Wittgenstein's Tractatus. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Philosophy Area C
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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