Philosophical Investigations

by Ludwig Wittgenstein
Philosophical Investigations cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Philosophy
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  • ID: 2458
  • Added: 2025-10-14
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781405159289
  • Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
  • Published: 2009-10-12
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Ludwig Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations is widely regarded as the most important philosophical work of the twentieth century. This new edition, meticulously edited by Peter Hacker and Joachim Schulte, incorporates substantial revisions to better reflect Wittgenstein's original intentions, including the placement of his notes and corrections to the German text. The English translation has also been extensively modified and corrected, with detailed editorial endnotes to clarify difficult translations and identify references in the original text. The book delves into the nature of language, meaning, and understanding, challenging traditional philosophical views and offering profound insights into the workings of human thought. It is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy, linguistics, or the history of ideas.

Reviews
LessWrong · 2021-10-12
challenging 3.50

The book is praised for its clear language and quotable passages, but it is also noted as being incredibly challenging. The reviewer appreciates Wittgenstein's unique approach to philosophy.

The reviewer enjoyed reading this book, highlighting Wittgenstein's crystal-clear language and his eminence as a quotable philosopher. However, they also found the book incredibly challenging, which might be a hurdle for some readers. The unique approach to philosophy presented in the book is highly valued, making it a worthwhile read despite its difficulty. The reviewer appreciates the depth and clarity of Wittgenstein's ideas, even if they are not always easy to grasp.

Quick quotes

    I enjoyed reading this book as Wittgenstein is eminently quotable and he writes with crystal clear language.

    However, the book is incredibly challenging.

    Wittgenstein's unique approach to philosophy is highly valued.

Lotzin Translation · 2016-10-30
insightful 4.00

Wittgenstein believed this book solved all the problems of philosophy, tackling long-standing issues about causation, truth, and the mind. The reviewer finds the book deeply insightful but also somewhat unsettling.

The reviewer notes that Wittgenstein honestly believed this book solved all the problems of philosophy, which is a bold claim. The book delves into long-standing issues such as causation, truth, and the mind, offering profound insights. However, the reviewer also finds the book somewhat unsettling, as it challenges our most basic philosophical ideas. The depth and breadth of Wittgenstein's exploration are commendable, making it a significant work in the field of philosophy.

Quick quotes

    Wittgenstein honestly believed that this solved all the problems of philosophy.

    Long-standing problems about causation, truth, the mind, ...

    Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations had a deeply unsettling effect upon our most basic philosophical ideas concerning thought.

Sipech WordPress · 2014-10-20
daunting 3.00

The introduction is described as baffling and aimed at those very familiar with Wittgenstein's work. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the content but finds the initial approach daunting.

The reviewer describes the introduction as quite baffling, designed for purists who are very familiar with Wittgenstein's work. This in-depth approach can be daunting for new readers. However, the depth of the content is highly appreciated, offering a rich exploration of Wittgenstein's philosophical ideas. The reviewer acknowledges the complexity and the value of the book, even if it is not the easiest read.

Quick quotes

    The introduction is quite baffling.

    It seems designed for the purist who is very familiar with Wittgenstein's work, as there is an in-depth ...

    The role that the social context plays in our language – the use and ...

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