Portraits of Wittgenstein (Volume 1 of 4)

Portraits of Wittgenstein is a splendid anthology of almost all the personal memoirs of Wittgenstein's relatives, friends, pupils and acquaintances. Collectively they provide a remarkable portrait of the greatest philosopher of the twentieth century, vividly depict his circle of friends, and illuminate the relationship between the man and his philosophy. The enterprise of Thoemmes Press, as so often, makes available to the public a large collection of significant writings not otherwise readily available.—P.M.S. HackerLudwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) was one of the most influential and yet elusive personalities in the history of modern philosophy, and a figure who continues to fascinate. Portraits of Wittgenstein is a major collection of memoirs, recollections and articles on the life of this great philosopher, primarily by those who knew him. Revealing the many features of Wittgenstein's character and the power of his personality more vividly and comprehensively than ever before, these moving portraits show how much genuine friendship meant to Wittgenstein, his warmth and kindness and the life-long influence he had on the lives of those he met. The philosopher's ruthless honesty and uncompromising integrity, however, often resulted in stern advice and harsh rebukes to friends and foes alike. These fascinating and lucid recollections and impressions, often at odds with each other, also reveal Wittgenstein's charm and wonderful sense of humour, as well as his suffering and despair. The wealth of illuminating information and profound insights into Wittgenstein's extraordinary life make this an essential resource for a better understanding of the unity between this misunderstood man and his philosophy. Portraits of Wittgenstein also throws valuable light upon the personalities of his intellectual and social circle, including Bertrand Russell, G. E. Moore, F. R. Leavis, A. J. Ayer, Karl Popper, G. H. von Wright and Rush Rhees. This collection of valuable and hard-to-find material is an indispensable biographical resource for libraries, scholars and students of the life and work of Wittgenstein.—the only comprehensive collection of memoirs, recollections and articles on the life of Ludwig Wittgenstein —a wealth of insights and remarks that disclose, to the greatest extent thus far, the personality and character of one of the most influential and yet elusive personalities in the history of modern philosophy —4 volumes of reset materials, fully indexed, with a new introduction —contributors include: Hermine Wittgenstein, Bertrand Russell, G. E. Moore, David Pinsent, Paul Engelmann, Rudolf Carnap, Julian Bell, Fania Pascal, F. R. Leavis, Iris Murdoch, A. J. Ayer, Norman Malcolm, Karl Popper, G. H. von Wright, Rush Rhees and M. O'C. Drury