Wittgenstein, Frazer and Religion

by Brian R. Clack

Wittgenstein, Frazer and Religion expounds and analyses the argument of Wittgenstein's Remarks on Frazer's Golden Bough . It details the reasons for Wittgenstein's rejection of the intellectualist theory of religion, and suggests a new interpretation of his rival view of ritual. Denying that Wittgenstein's account is straightforwardly expressivist, the author builds his own interpretation on Wittgenstein's claim that magic is akin to metaphysics. In the course of the book, the author considers such matters as expressivism, 'perspicuous representation', the nature of human sacrifice, and Wittgenstein's cultural pessimism.

200 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 1998

Reviews

[Zedder · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very down-to-earth analysis of Wittgenstein's comments on Frazer's "Golden Bough". It's not an insightful book, but I liked it that he takes Wittgenstein's comments, and those of the "Wittgenstein Fideists" (e.g., DZ Phillips), at face value and argues with them. For example, he argues that merely giving a "perspicuous representation" of a cultural practice doesn't exhaust the sorts of explanations of it than we can reasonably give. And that seems right. As does his claim that many of Wittgenstein's criticisms of Frazer are either trite or off-base.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clack's exegesis reads well and seems to remain true to what Wittgenstein actually wrote. His explorations of W's statements about man as a ceremonial animal were helpful and thought-provoking to me, especially in a comparative analysis between him and Zen Buddhist thought. Would certainly recommend to those interested in philosophy of religion, especially the thought and writings of the Wittgensteinians.