Beginning at the Beginning
In: Essays on Wittgenstein and Austrian PhilosophySearch for other papers by Newton Garver in
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This essay reviews and comments on what Wittgenstein wrote during one week during the final month of his life, 5–11 April 1951. Published as sections 471–511 of On Certainty, the remarks concern where philosophy begins and ends, a topic central to all of Wittgenstein’s work. The importance of natural history, of initiation into the language, and of regarding language-games as primary, is highlighted. Wittgenstein’s mention of categories leads to discussion of affinities with Aristotle, but they are modified by his profound indebtedness to Moore and Kant, as well as to pedagogy. All these strains are treated with respect in Wittgenstein’s powerful synthesis. At the end of the essay interesting parallels with the later work of T. S. Eliot (including a deep conservatism) are noted.