Wittgensteins Place in Twentieth–Century Analytic Philosophy

This text provides a unique and compelling account of Wittgenstein′s impact upon twentieth century analytic philosophy, from its inception at the turn of the century to its subsequent decline.

It locates Wittgenstein in his historical context, identifies his main achievements and contrasts his two philosophies with those of Frege and Russell, the Vienna Circle, and the leading figures of Oxford philosophy. The juxtaposition of Wittgenstein and Quine is the most detailed comparative survey yet undertaken. The major criticisms of Wittgenstein′s later philosophy are evaluated.

Lucid and accessible throughout, this volume will be a benchmark survey for all those interested in the history of philosophy in the twentieth century.

Preface ix

Acknowledgements xii

List of Abbreviations xiv

Chapter 1 The Background 1

1 The origins of analytic philosophy 1

2 The problem–setting context of the Tractatus 22

Chapter 2 The Achievement of the Tractatus 22

1 Unquestioned legacy 22

2 Criticisms of Frege and Russell 26

3 The metaphysical picture of the relation of thought, language and reality 29

4 The positive account of the propositions of logic 32

5 The critique of metaphysics and the conception of future philosophy as analysis 35

Chapter 3 The Impact of the Tractatus: The Vienna Circle 39

1 The Vienna Circle 39

2 Philosophy, analysis, and the scientific world–view 42

3 The demolition of metaphysics 44

4 Necessary propositions, conventionalism and consistent empiricism 45

5 The principle of verification 50

Chapter 4 The Inter–war Years: Cambridge and Oxford 67

1 Cambridge between the wars 67

2 Wittgenstein in Cambridge 76

3 Oxford between the wars 87

Chapter 5 The Achievement of the Investigations 97

1 The hedgehog and the fox 97

2 The repudiation of analysis 103

3 The nature of philosophy 110

4 Metaphysics 117

5 Philosophy of language and the unity of the Investigations 123

6 Philosophical psychology 130

Chapter 6 Wittgenstein s Impact upon Post–war Analytic Philosophy 137

1 Publications and pupils 138

2 Philosophy at Oxford, 1945–70 148

3 Wittgenstein and post–war philosophy at Oxford 162

Chapter 7 Post–positivism in the United States and Quine s Apostasy 183

1 The logical positivists in America 183

2 Quine and Wittgenstein: similarity amidst differences 189

3 Quine and logical empiricism: the end of analytic philosophy? 193

4 Quine s progress 196

5 Quine and Wittgenstein: differences beneath similarities 207

Chapter 8 The decline of Analytic Philosophy 228

1 The critical backlash 228

2 Criticisms of Wittgenstein 239

3 The aftermath 264

Notes 274

Index 334

P. M. S. Hacker is a fellow of St John′s College, Oxford. He is author of numerous books and articles on philosophy of mind and philosophy of language, and a leading authority on the philosophy of Wittgenstein. Among his many publications on Wittgenstein is the monumental four volume Analytical Commentary on the Philosophical Investigations published by Blackwell, the first two volumes of which are co–authored with G. P. Baker.

"A mojor contribution to the history of analytic philosophy, this substantial volume delivers even more than the title promises" David G Stern, The Philosophical Review