Ludwig Wittgenstein: Dictating Philosophy

Wittgenstein in the act of composing and experimenting with his new visions in philosophy. The book includes key explanations of the origin and background of the manuscripts. It investigates how Wittgenstein's philosophical thought-processes are revealed in what he dictates to, editing and revising, with Francis Skinner, in the latter's role of amanuensis. The book displays a considerable wealth and variety of Wittgenstein's fundamental experiments in philosophy across a wide array of subjects that include the mind, pure and applied mathematics, metaphysics, the identities of ordinary and creative language, as well as intractable problems in logic and life (referring to Newton, Russell and others). The book shows Wittgenstein strongly battling against the limits of understanding and the bewitchment of institutional and linguistic customs. The reader is drawn in by Wittgenstein as he urges us to join him in his struggles to equip us all with patterns and skills so that we can attempt to devise new pathways beyond confusion to freedom. This collection of manuscripts was posted off by Wittgenstein to be considered for publication during World War 2, in October 1941. None of it was published and it remained hidden for over a generation. The Archive was not known by any previous Wittgenstein editors. Upon its rediscovery, Professor Gibson was invited to research, prepare and edit the Archive to appear as this book, encouraged by Trinity College Cambridge and The Mathematical Association. Niamh O'Mahony joined him to co-edit and bring this book to publication.