Oswald Hanfling Livres

Life and Meaning surveys a variety of Philosophical answers to the question, ‘What makes life worth living?' By collecting readings from a wide range of philosophical history it gives the various perspectives on the value and meaning of life. Aspects of life which appear to make it meaningless 9death, suffering, randomness) are seen in the light of their long and varied history in philosophical literature and are subjected to careful scrutiny. The texts chosen here pose these and related issues and offer various responses. By careful selection and helpful editorial introduction Life and Meaning gives essential texts which provide the background to contemporary enquiries. Is self-realization a coherent ideal? Does it mean being true to our original nature (Rousseau) or to our potential as ‘rational animals' (Aristotle)? Should we live according to our desires and in pursuit of happiness (Mill)? Should we appeal to a nature or ‘essence' be rejected as bad faith?

`Philosophy', wrote Wittgenstein, `simply puts everything before us, and neither explains nor deduces anything.' The author of this book takes seriously Wittgenstein's description of what he was doing, and bring out the importance of his philosophy to long-standing problems about language, knowledge, the mind, and philosophy itself. Common misunderstandings of Wittgenstein are exposed and there is a detailed examination of the celebrated `private language' argument.

Wittgenstein's later writings generate a great deal of controversy and debate, as do the implications of his ideas for such topics as consciousness, knowledge, language and the arts.Oswald Hanfling addresses a widespeard tendency to ascribe to Wittgenstein views that go beyond those he actually held. Separate chapters deal with important topics such as the private language argument, rule-following, the problem of other minds, and the ascription of scepticism to Wittgenstein. Describing Wittgenstein as a 'humanist' thinker, he contrasts his views on language, art humanity and philosophy itself with those of scientifically minded philosophers. He argues that 'the human form of life' calls for a kind of understanding that cfannot be achieved by the methods of emirical science; that consiousness, for example, cannot properly be regarded as a property of the bran; and that the resulting 'problem of consoiusness is an illusion.Wittgenstein and the Human Form of Life is essential reading for anyone interested in Wittgenstein's approach to what it means to be human. It will be invaluable to all Wittgenstein scholars, and all who are interested in the philosophy of mind, language and aesthetics.

Focusing on the relationship between philosophy and language, the book argues that philosophy fundamentally engages with ordinary language. Oswald Hanfling counters the notion that this focus diminishes the depth and complexity of philosophical inquiry, demonstrating that examining language can lead to profound insights. Through this defense, the work challenges common perceptions about the nature of philosophical questions and their significance.