Wolfgang Kienzler

Wittgenstein and John Henry Newman on Certainty

Wittgenstein read and admired the work of John Henry Newman. Evidence suggests that from 1946 until 1951 Newmans was probably the single most important external stimulus for Wittgensteins thought. In important respects Wittgensteins reactions to G. E. Moore follow hints already given by Newman.

Wittgenstein on Gödelian ‘Incompleteness’, Proofs and Mathematical Practice: Reading Remarks on the Foundations of Mathematics, Part I, Appendix III, Carefully

We argue that Wittgenstein’s philosophical perspective on Godel’s most famous theorem is even more radical than has commonly been assumed. Wittgenstein shows in detail that there is no way that the Godelian construct of a string of signs could be assigned a useful function within (ordinary) mathematics. — The focus is on Appendix III to Part I of Remarks on the Foundations of Mathematics. The present reading highlights the exceptional importance of this particular set of remarks and, more specifically, emphasises its refined composition and rigorous internal structure.

What Is a Phenomenon? The Concept of Phenomenon in Husserl’s Phenomenology

In this presentation I want to point out to you something that no doubt all of you have seen many times. This will be a little like walking on the beautiful Campus Universitario of Santiago. 1 Right in its middle there is a basin of water with water-lilies in it an a fountain springing up. At one end of the basin stands a very remarkable tree. I myself walked by this tree many times without noticing anything special, but then I was struck by its branches which stick out in all different directions to give it a bizarre shape. And as I looked more closely I found the leaves of this tree to be even more interesting: they are quite unlike the leaves ofany tree I have ever seen. I do not know if many of you have also noticed this tree, but maybe the next time you pass it you will give it a closer look.

Ein Sack Rosinen

Abstract The article describes the way Wittgenstein tried to collect „all his good remarks“ within one book. The first such attempt is the Tractatus, the second attempt - which Wittgenstein could not complete - are the Investigations.The ‚Big Typescript’, however,was intended only as an instrument towards this latter aim. This aspect of Wittgenstein’s way of doing philosophy remained stable and it can help to throw light on various exegetical questions.

Wittgenstein Reads Plato

Wittgenstein read Plato. While Frege and Russell were obviously more important for his philosophical development, and although Plato is not mentioned in the well-known 1931 list of the authors who influenced him,4 Wittgenstein’s written work contains more quotations from Plato than from any other philosopher.

Carnap’s Conception of Philosophy

In one respect it seems easy to explain Carnap’s conception of philosophy: he is believed to be a proponent of scientific philosophy – or, stating it in other words, many believe that he tried to help to establish philosophy as an exact science. However in a later interview Carnap explained how this idea rested on a simple misunderstanding. When asked about the term ‘scientific philosophy’ he replied: