Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations (suny Series In Philosophy) [Paperback]

An imaginative and exciting exposition of major themes from Wittgenstein's mature philosophy.

An imaginative and exciting exposition of themes from Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations, this book helps readers find their way around the forest of remarks that make up this classic. Chapters on language, mind, color, number, God, value, and philosophy develop a major theme: that there are various kinds of language use--a variety philosophy needs to look at but tends to overlook.

Brenner shows excellent judgment in selecting which themes of Wittgenstein's work to emphasize--this is very important in a book of this sort. He gives his readers a very good idea of the range of Wittgenstein's concerns and how they hang together. The choice of topics is very balanced, including major topics in philosophy of language and philosophy of mind, and crucial themes like the relation between grammar and metaphysics. Brenner is particularly good at helping the reader grasp the kind of philosophical clarity at which Wittgenstein aimed, and he connects this aim beautifully with Wittgenstein's remarks about religion. Brenner is excellent at picking illuminating examples: his little dialogues should be particularly helpful to readers and will also be useful to teachers who want to stimulate discussion. Again and again, Brenner picks out exactly what is important.

Brenner is outstanding as a commentator on Wittgenstein, combining a real sensitivity to the texts (and to Wittgenstein's aims) with an awareness of the needs of his audience. I would not have thought it possible to have combined real accessibility to non-specialists with such a firm and subtle understanding of Wittgenstein. There is simply no other work I know of that makes Wittgenstein accessible at this level. That it does so with such distinguished scholarship, and with such sensitivity, is really remarkable. -- Cora Diamond, University of Virginia

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