"Logik, Sprache, Philosophie" by Friedrich Waismann was conceived as a systematic exposition of Ludwig Wittgenstein's thought, developed through a close personal collaboration between 1927 and 1935. A first version of the book was completed by 1931, with a significantly different version emerging later and eventually published in English as "Principles of Linguistic Philosophy." Waismann's work was shaped by his role as an unofficial assistant to Moritz Schlick and his commitment to making Wittgenstein's later philosophical ideas public.
The book's original project aimed to systematically present Wittgenstein's philosophy, focusing on logic, language, and their philosophical implications. The passages indicate a substantial evolution of the text from its initial conception to its later forms, highlighting Waismann's efforts to articulate and disseminate Wittgenstein's evolving philosophical ideas during a pivotal period in 20th-century philosophy.
Key concepts
- Systematic exposition of Wittgenstein's thought — The book's core objective was to present Wittgenstein's philosophical ideas in an organized and coherent manner.
- Logic, Language, Philosophy — These are the primary subject areas the book was intended to address and connect.
- Principles of Linguistic Philosophy — This is the title of a later, significantly different version of Waismann's planned book, indicating a shift in focus or presentation.
- Moritz Schlick — Waismann's association with Schlick was instrumental in his task of preparing and publicizing Wittgenstein's ideas.
- Wittgenstein's later philosophy — The book was specifically aimed at making public the philosophical ideas developed by Wittgenstein from the late 1920s onwards.