Wittgenstein’s Pre-Tractatus Writings

This volume brings into focus the unique importance of Wittgenstein's pre-Tractatus writings. These contributed essays show that Wittgenstein’s earliest writings are worth studying for their own sake. They also reveal how much one can still learn about the Tractatus, if one is to study them not as documenting one’s prior interpretation of the Tractatus, but as a series of steps in Wittgenstein’s thought, some down paths that are later abandoned, some leading towards it. The volume thus offers not only a fresh perspective on the pre-Tractatus writings, it also offers a comprehensive reading of a wide range of central topics within Wittgenstein’s early philosophy. “This is an excellent book. Its chapters advance our understanding of Wittgenstein’s early philosophy in important ways.” José Zalabardo – University College London “With a number of important contributions, the book highlights Wittgenstein’s path to the Tractatus and emphasizes the under-appreciated significance of the pre-Tractatus writings.” Mauro L. Engelmann – Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais “The book focuses on the pre-Tractatus writings from a new and illuminating perspective, by dealing with them not only as writings containing preparatory material for Wittgenstein’s early masterpiece but as an autonomous source of ideas concerning many crucial topics in the philosophy of language and logic. The papers collected in the volume provide a valuable and original contribution to Wittgenstein scholarship: all those who wish to deepen their understanding of the early Wittgenstein’s thought taken in its entirety should read the book.” Pasquale Frascolla – University of Naples Federico II “A deeply learned volume conveying the philosophical significance of Wittgenstein’s pre-Tractatus writings. Excellent and novel analyses of the most fundamental problems are here, alongside striking overviews of Wittgenstein’s philosophical aims and detailed tracing of his thought-moves. The path to the Tractatus is shown to be a philosophical journey in its own right, anticipating Wittgenstein’s future.” Juliet Floyd – Boston University Mathieu Marion is professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal. Jimmy Plourde is professor of Analytic philosophy at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières.