Seminar on Western Philosophers

PHI 5030 Seminar on Western Philosophers : Wittgenstein

Introduction:

Ludwig Wittgenstein is one of the most original and most significant philosophers of the twentieth century; his work has had a profound influence on a number of movements in recent philosophy. He has been particularly important in drawing attention to the role of language in our dealing with the world. In this seminar I propose to examine the evolution of Wittgenstein’s social conception of meaning and language and will ask what it contributes to our understanding of society and politics.

Course requirement:

(a) Dedicated reading of the primary texts
(b) Active participation in class discussions
(c) A seminar presentation
(d) A seminar paper of ca. 15 pages

Course structure:

1. The man and his work

2. The picture conception of meaning

3. The limits of language

4.Ethical implications

5. Meaning is use

6. Language games

7. Linguistic pluralism

8. Family resemblance

9. The unsurveyability of language

10. Rules and regularities

11. The private language argument

12. Seeing as

13. World views

14. Skepticism

Reading :

Wittgenstein, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

“The Lecture on Ethics”

The Blue and Brown Books

Philosophical Investigations

On Certainty

Some additional secondary materials