Wittgenstein and the Human Form of Life

The growing implications of Wittgenstein's later writings both inside as well as outside philosophy have become one of the major features of the past few years. His impact on ideas of theory and the philosophy of language is increasingly evident. Yet there remains much difficulty in understanding much of Wittgenstein's thought due to the often-unclear nature of his arguments. Oswald Hanfling, a leading commentator on Wittgenstein, offers a much-needed exploration of Wittgenstein's thought, ranging from the problem of other minds, the philosophy of language and questions on humanity to the role of art. One of the most important criticisms levied against Wittgenstein is that he raises more questions than he answers, and this has caused many readers to attribute him positions contrary to his intentions and methods. Hanfling challenges this view and proposes that Wittgenstein's approach can lead to a proper understanding of the problems in question. Throughout,Wittgenstein and the Theory of the Artsoffers a critical reading and interpretation of Wittgenstein's writings and their impact for our ways of thinking. Most importantly it presents Wittgenstein's unique approach to the question of being human.

Oswald Hanfling is a former Professor of Philosophy at the Open University.