Ludwig Wittgenstein is arguably the most important philosopher of the twentieth century. In
On Certainty
he discusses central issues in epistemology, including the nature of knowledge and scepticism.
The Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Wittgenstein and On Certainty
introduces and assesses:
Wittgenstein's career and the background to his later philosophy
the central ideas and text of
, including its responses to G.E. Moore and discussion of fundamental issues in the theory of knowledge
Wittgenstein's continuing importance in contemporary philosophy.
This
GuideBook
is essential reading for all students of Wittgenstein, and for those studying epistemology and philosophy of language.
On Certainty,
Wittgenstein's final work, addresses a category of "world-picture" propositions discovered by G.E. Moore. These challenge Wittgenstein's enduring commitment to a well-defined category of empirical propositions, and help to generate a critique of scepticism. Developing Wittgenstein's view that scepticism is self-undermining, the
Guidebook
offers a combative yet therapeutic interpretation that locates
between the standpoints of Kant and Hume.