A Beginner's Guide to the Later Philosophy of Wittgenstein - (Anthem Studies in Wittgenstein) by Peter Hacker (Paperback)

About the Book

In this Beginner's Guide, Peter Hacker introduces the later philosophy of Wittgenstein in a lively and engaging combination of lectures and dialogues that presupposes no philosophical knowledge. He examines such topics as the nature of language and linguistic meaning, the analysis of necessity and its roots in convention, the relation of thought and language, the nature of the mind and its relation to behaviour, self-consciousness, and knowledge of other minds. This unique form of introduction will capture the interest of all readers with an enquiring mind.

Book Synopsis

In this Beginner's Guide, Peter Hacker introduces the later philosophy of Wittgenstein in a lively and engaging combination of lectures and dialogues that presupposes no philosophical knowledge. He examines such topics as the nature of language and linguistic meaning, the analysis of necessity and its roots in convention, the relation of thought and language, the nature of the mind and its relation to behaviour, self-consciousness, and knowledge of other minds. This unique form of introduction will capture the interest of all readers with an enquiring mind.

Review Quotes

"A beautifully lucid and philosophically stimulating introduction from the world's leading authority on Wittgenstein." - John Cottingham, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of Reading

"For decades, Peter Hacker has been a forceful interpreter and expositor of Wittgenstein's later work. Now he presents this work in a series of introductory lectures and dialogues that are as entertaining as they are instructive and that will serve as an excellent guide for those encountering the work for the first time." - Adrian W. Moore, Professor, University of Oxford

"Only those with profound and thorough knowledge of a subject can present it to beginners with the clarity, intelligibility, and charm needed, without compromising subtlety and sophistication. Peter Hacker has been a pole of reference for decades for Wittgenstein's philosophy and, with this book, he continues to educate, enlighten, and entice not only beginners but anyone interested in Wittgenstein's masterful work." - Vasso Kindi, Professor of Philosophy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, Dept. of History and Philosophy of Science

"This is an introduction to one of the greatest philosophers, Wittgenstein, written by the leading ex-pert on him, Hacker. It doesn't get much better than that. Buy it, read it, learn from it how to do phi-losophy."- Dr. Edward Kanterian, University of Kent

About the Author

P.M.S. Hacker is the leading authority on the philosophy of Wittgenstein. He has specialized in philosophy of cognitive neuroscience. He has written a tetralogy on human nature.