PHIL 320 - Wittgenstein

FDR: HU
Credits: 3
Planned Offering: Winter 2012

Prerequisites: One course in philosophy and instructor consent. Ludwig Wittgenstein is arguably the most influential philosopher of the 20th century. His thought presents a challenge to fundamental assumptions in the history of philosophical ideas. Ultimately, he sees philosophical problems—such as those surrounding the nature of being and mind, and questions about how we understand the world—as persuasive and subtle misdirections that language can pull us toward. Consequently, in later works, Wittgenstein attempts to dissolve philosophical problems by untangling their sources in language. This course is a close study of Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations, highlighted by the use of secondary sources, including an emphasis on the analysis of language, meaning, rule-following, understanding, mind, and states of consciousness. Special Note for Winter 2012: This March there will be a Regional Wittgenstein Workshop held at W&L and students will have the opportunity to hear, meet and discuss Wittgenstein’s work with academics currently writing on the subject. Lowney.