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Title: Wittgenstein: An Introduction (Suny Series in Philosophy) by Joachim Schulte, John F. Holley, William H. Brenner ISBN: 0-7914-1082-X Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr Pub. Date: August, 1992 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95

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Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)

Rating: 4
Summary: Commendable
Comment: All in all, this is a clear and concise introduction to the two main phases and connecting strands of Wittgenstein's work. The part dealing with the Investigations, however, is superior to that focusing on the Tractatus. Too much of the latter remains underdeveloped, precluding the kind of contours that would allow the reader to appreciate the overall power of this essentialist theory of language. Moreover, Schulte appears to shy away from pointing out the general contrast between the two stages of Witt's career. Though the extent of the contrast is debated by scholars, the fact remains an important one for understanding how Witt came to replace the methods and conclusions of the Tractatus with the very different ones of the Investigations. This transition continues to hold important lessons for those philosophizing in the traditional manner, and I wish Schulte had emphasized the contrast more for the reader's benefit. Nonetheless the section on criteria is a little gem. Many of the more difficult meditations on philosophy of mind, including private languages, are explicated in clear and comprehendible terms. In these last sections, Schulte arrives at an effective level of exposition, neither too shallow nor too detailed, as befits a proper introduction. Recommended for those interested in concepts of mind.

Rating: 5
Summary: A Better Understanding of Wittgenstein, Guaranteed.
Comment: Prior to writing this review I stopped to re-read the editors description on the back cover: "Joachim Schulte's introduction provides a distinctive and masterful account of the full range of Wittgenstein's thought. It is a concise but not compressed, substantive but not overloaded with developmental or technical detail, informed by the latest scholarship but not pedantic. Beginners will find it accessible and seasoned students of Wittgenstein will appreciate it for the illuminating overview it provides." Proceeding from this backdrop, then, I shall build on these comments.

First, let me say that the translation by William H. Brenner and John F. Holley is brilliant. I have been very critical of a few pieces I've read that were written in different languages (French and German mostly) that make it very clear that whomever is doing the translation doesn't have a clue about English. This is not the case in Schulte's Wittgenstein: An Introduction. The translation is smooth as silk and the English usage is almost always clear and understandable.

Second, the book is indeed manageable, but not too condensed like some other books that aim to do a "fly by" of any given philosopher's main ideas. Schulte goes into well enough detail to make Wittgenstein's thoughts comprehendible and provides just enough substance to make them "stick" in your mind - and does so without dumping too much on you at once.

Third, the comments regarding an acute awareness of contemporary scholarship is very accurate. Schulte presents alternative hypothesis regarding Wittgenstein's ideas frequently and in a way that usually allows the reader to decide for oneself (Schulte's reasonable conclusion always win out in the end, however). I especially enjoyed learning how often Saul Kripke misinterpreted Wittgenstein (assuming that he actually did), because it gave me sense relief to know that some of the most brilliant minds of our time haven't read Wittgenstein correctly.

Finally, I'm not sure where I fit in on the "beginner-experienced student" spectrum, but I've had some Wittgenstein in undergraduate school prior to reading this book. That small exposure doubtless served as a bit of a primer for me, but I am far cry from an "experienced student." As such, I did find the book pretty accessible, but I certainly had to go back and re-read some of the more difficult portions. In sum, I chose to read this book before beginning a graduate-level course on Wittgenstein, and I feel a heck of a lot better about my knowledge of Wittgenstein's ideas after reading Schulte's introduction.