Why Wittgenstein Matters Now - by Hywel Williams (Hardcover)

About the Book

Hywel Williams illustrates how Wittgenstein, widely considered the greatest philosopher of his time, has inspired and influenced politics, art and ethics for over a century.

Book Synopsis

'There are indeed things that cannot be put into words. They make themselves manifest. They are what is mystical.' These words of Wittgenstein encapsulate the revolution that he brought about in 20th-century philosophy.

Widely considered the greatest philosopher of his time, Wittgenstein's two major works alone - Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and Philosophical Investigations - have inspired a vast secondary literature and exercised a fascination on poets, playwrights, poets, musicians and even film makers.

This short accessible book explains why Wittgenstein remains a figure of utmost importancehaving dedicated his life to philosophy. Hywel Williams explores the life of this enigmatic thinker, tracing how his philosophy intersects with issues of major contemporary importance - in particular, art, religion, education and public life. With great skill, Williams shows how directly relevant Wittgenstein is to our present preoccupations.

About the Author

Hywel Williams is a historian, commentator and broadcaster. A former tutor at Rugby School and Fellow of St John's College, Cambridge, his publications include The Age of Chivalry: Culture and Power in Medieval Europe 950-1450 and Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire. His television credits, as writer and presenter, include documentaries on David Lloyd George and Pope Benedict XV, a history of the 20th century and a series on 'How Empires Fall'. He is the founder and director of the Erasmus Foundation, an independent think tank.