Work on Oneself: Wittgenstein's Philosophical Psychology

by Fergus Kerr

Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) was by any reckoning one of the major modern philosophers. Raised as a Catholic in late-19th century Vienna, he later gave up practicing his religion; yet, as journal notes and many anecdotes attest, he remained deeply if ambivalently interested in religion throughout his life. Students of the philosophy of religion are familiar with his lectures on religious belief. For the rest, however, in the vast collection of commentary and criticism that has accumulated over the years, little attention has been paid to his religious interests.

Genres: Philosophy

119 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2008

About the author

Fergus Kerr OP is a Dominican friar, theologian, and philosopher known primarily for his work on Thomas Aquinas and Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Reviews

[Marika · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Work on philosophy -- like work in architecture in many respects -- is really more work on oneself. On one's own conception. On how one sees things. (And what one expects of them.) (CV, 24)

What makes "Work on Oneself" so compelling to read, also limits its scope and constrains how much "space" is dedicated to the actual philosophical psychology that Kerr is supposedly focusing on. The book was published by The Institute for the Psychological Sciences, whose mission it is to "contribute to the renewal of the Christian Intellectual tradition and to the development of a psychology consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church."

This is apparent in Kerr's focus on Wittgenstein's writings (and the writings of others about him) and his espoused ambivalence regarding Catholicism (and even religion generally.) Though this colours Kerr's treatment and interpretation - I think it serves it well and adds needed depth and texture in many places.

Kerr also includes meaningful and enlightening references to (and writings from) Wittgenstein's friend and former student Maurice O'Connor Drury, who became a psychiatrist, rather than a professional philosopher.

One example:

"It would be a tragedy if well-meaning commentators should make it appear that his [Wittgenstein's] writings were now easily assimilable into the very intellectual milieu they were largely a warning against." (1966)

and this:

"A mental illness may indeed utterly disable the patient for the daily commerce of social life, but the terrifying loneliness of such an experience may make him more aware of the mysteriousness of our present being."

Kerr spends much time and effort creating this mosaic of the man [Wittgenstein] through the writings of others - particularly his students. That leads to a feeling that this book isn't so much about Wittgenstein, as it is about others' thoughts of him. Though some reviewers seem put off by this indirect treatment of the material, I think it makes that same material more compelling regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the assertions.

In all, this is not a deeply original work - nor could it be, I think, due to the space to which it's limited. However, it is highly readable and adds to the enjoyment and understanding of other works. I place this with Edmond and Eidinow's "Wittgenstein's Poker" and Nedo's "Wittgenstein: There Where You Are Not," which elucidate eachother's texts and Wittgenstein's work itself.

[Brother Gregory Rice, SOLT · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and worthy read. It is the second "introductory" type of book that I've read on Wittgenstein so I feel eager to dig into the extensions of his thought. I was hoping this book would do a bit more of this but it did, especially in the closing section, point to very interesting further studies coming out of his insights. For the most part it is a tour of the anecdotal and notebook-based information about him with a focus on how these relate to psychoanalysis and the philosophy thereof. It is very interesting and enjoyable to read although the concepts are not always brought out with great clarity.

[Wayne Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps not on par with Kerr's "Theology After Wittgenstein," but certainly an enjoyable read as Kerr considers LW's philosophical psychology from Kerr's own neo-Aristotelian reading of Wittgenstein's later period. There is more biography on LW as Kerr seeks to give an account that that situates him in a greater catholic context.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot, and saw it as a development of Kerr's thinking on the notion of "private language games," or some kind of pre-linguistic intuition. I also think that this book signals a change in Kerr's reading of Wittgenstein from "Theology after Wittgenstein" and begins to open up (via Cavell perhaps) some of the mystical dimensions of W's thought.

[Lyndon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read Kerr's Theology After Wittgenstein instead. This current volume does not expand any on what Kerr does so well elsewhere.