Wittgenstein: From Mysticism to Ordinary Language: A Study of Viennese Positivism and the Thought of Ludwig Wittgenstein

by Russell Nieli

From Mysticism to Ordinary Language presents the Tractatus as a work of mystic theology intended to direct the reader to a transcendental plane from which human existence can be viewed from the divine perspective. More than any other work on Wittgenstein, this study integrates text material with personal biographical information, especially information dealing with his spiritual and psychological states. The result is a fresh, coherent, and extremely illuminating picture of Wittgenstein, successfully avoiding the pitfalls of either psychological reductionism or unfaithfulness to the text. It is bold without being reckless, passionately argued without being doctrinaire, and makes a very powerful and persuasive case for its main thesis.

Genres: Philosophy

261 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2014

Reviews

[Marco]

A very interesting and unusual book with a keen eye on the way in which Wittgenstein's Tractatus takes inspiration from figures such as Tolstoy, Kierkegaard or Dostoevsky and the way in which the Tractatus comes to resemble Pseudo-Dionysius On the Divine Names. The discussion of mystical experience and the via negativa are skillfully interwoven with quotes from Wittgenstein's texts or remarks about his life.

I do have some issues with the discussion of Wittgenstein's later philosophy (on a supposed behaviourism and on a supposed uncritical conservatism) but these issues should not keep the interested reader from picking up the book. It remains invaluable for what it has to say on Mysticism and the Tractatus.

[Ali Reda]

A continental review of Wittgenstein's philosophy, linking it to the social, political and psychological elements of Wittgenstein and his era. And I have to say that the author has provided a maltitude of quotes from different sources to back up his case which can be summerised in the following, "Both the Tractatus and the later philosophy, one might say, display an inability to maintain a proper balance between self and society. In the Tractatus, a radical split occurs between the philosopher and society, the Truth of the philosopher's experience being relegated to a society-transcending silence as interpersonal discourse is confined to the realm of the natural sciences. In Wittgenstein's later philosophy, the self, weary of its estrangement from society, throws itself headlong into the linguistic stream of social life, losing in the process, the inner dignity of its private sphere. In neither case do self and society, private and public, establish a proper tensional relationship. From the most radical critic of social custom Wittgenstein becomes its staunchest defender".

[Zoonanism]

A compelling approach to Tractatus, seeing it as one long 'neti neti' mantra
its seeming failure
forcing Ludwig to take joy in samsara of ordinary language albeit in a Teutonic manner