Ludwig Wittgenstein: Dictating Philosophy. To Francis Skinner – The Wittgenstein-Skinner Manuscript
Editors: Gibson, Arthur, O'Mahony, Niamh Ann (Eds.)
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This collection of previously unpublished manuscripts was posted off by Wittgenstein to be considered for publication during World War 2, in October 1941, however, remained hidden for over two generations. There are many competing interpretations of Wittgenstein's philosophy, but his
work and its impact have been felt in the arts, humanities and social sciences.
The book further includes key explanations by the editors of the origin and background of these previously unknown manuscripts. It investigates how Wittgenstein’s philosophical thought-processes are revealed in his dictation to, as well as his editing and revision with Francis Skinner,
in the latter’s role of amanuensis. The book displays a considerable wealth and variety of Wittgenstein’s fundamental experiments in philosophy across a wide array of subjects that include the mind, pure and applied mathematics, metaphysics, the identities of ordinary and creative language, as well as intractable problems in logic and life. He also periodically engages with the work of Newton, Fermat, Russell and
others. The book shows Wittgenstein strongly battling against the limits of understanding and the bewitchment of institutional and linguistic customs.
The reader is drawn in by Wittgenstein as he urges his audience to join him in his struggles to equip them with skills, so that they can embark on devising new pathways beyond confusion.
