Description
Book SynopsisThis fourth and final volume of the monumental commentary on Wittgenstein''s
Philosophical Investigations covers pp 428-693 of the book. Like the previous volumes, it consists of philosophical essays and exegesis.
Trade Review"Anyone reading
Philosophical Investigations would do well to keep it by their side, not only for its authoritative commentary on particular passages, but also for Hacker's extremely illuminating essays on the themes of the last part of the book: one each on intentionality, induction, the arbitrariness of grammar, negation, methodology in philosophical psychology, memory and recognition the will, intention and the mythology of meaning."
London Review of Books "It is as good a commentary on the Investigations as seems humanly possible. This will reamin the definitive starting point for the forseeable future. Indeed, it must rank alongside the greatest contributions to philosophical scholarship (such as Ross on Aristotle or Vaihinger on Kant), since it combines, on a momentous scale, authoritative textual exegesis, philosophical insight, encyclopedic knowledge of the historical background and lucidity of expression. Hacker succeeds brilliantly in showing that these passages are essential to the discussion of language and linguistic meaning that is the leitmotif of the Investigations. The chapter on mental states and processes provides an excellent interpretation and defence of Wittgenstein's approach to philosophical psychology, in particular of his denial that our psychological concepts constitute a 'folk psychology' that must be replaced by a more scientific alternative. Similarly, the chapter on will is the most authoritative discussion yet of Wittgenstein's fiendishly difficult treatment of that topic." Hans-Johann Glock, Times Higher Education Supplement
Table of ContentsNote to the paperback edition ix
Acknowledgements xi
Preface xiv
Abbreviations xix
I Intentionality 1
II Inductive reasoning 49
III The arbitrariness of grammar and the bounds of sense 69
IV A note on negation 101
V Methodology in philosophical psychology 111
VI Memory and recognition 157
VII Willing and the nature of voluntary action 191
VIII Intending 239
IX The mythology of meaning something 261
Index 285
