A Wittgenstein Dictionary (Blackwell Philosopher Dictionaries) [Hardcover]

Hans-Johann Glock (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0631181121 | ISBN-13: 978-0631181125 | Publication Date: September 1996

In over 150 entries, this dictionary covers technical terms which Wittgenstein introduced into the philosophical debate or transformed substantially (state of affairs, picture-theory of proposition, object, language-game, criteria, form of life) and also topics which play a central role in his work (understanding, thinking, mathematical proof); it indicates his line of argument, its strength and problems; and sheds light on fundamental exegetical and substantial controversies. The dictionary also - in addition to a short biographical sketch and the entries themselves - contains a short essay attempting to identify and link the basic themes of the early and later philosophy. It focuses on the idea that Wittgenstein's master-problem was the attempt to clarify the nature of philosphy itself and to introduce and demonstrate a new philosophical method.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is not a dictionary in the strict sense, of a work that provides concise definitions of terms, but is far more in that it provides analysis and references to Wittgenstein's texts for each term or concept discussed. Glock begins with an essay that traces Wittgenstein's career and the development of his thought, the influences of such people as Frege, Russell, and the members of the Vienna Circle, and ends with a statement of Wittgenstein's significance for 20th-century philosophy. For most terms contained in the dictionary, the discussion is fairly detailed, and Glock provides critical insight into each term. Some familiarity with Wittgenstein, his antecedents, and the development of analytical philosophy is necessary for a proper appreciation of the dictionary, but this is certainly a tool that will have value for Wittgenstein students and researchers. Recommended for all libraries supporting programs in analytic philosophy.?Terry C. Skeats, Bishop's Univ. Lib., Lennoxville, Quebec
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

'This book is destined to become a standard reference tool in Wittgenstein studies, and an ideal text for student use.' -- Stuart Shanker, York University, Canada --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 405 pages
• Publisher: Blackwell Pub (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631181121
• ISBN-13: 978-0631181125
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,248,978 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A useful dictionary, July 29, 2000

By 

Andreas Saugstad - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Wittgenstein Dictionary (Blackwell Philosopher Dictionaries) (Paperback)

Hans-Johann Glock har written a useful dictionary. For everyone writing about Wittgenstein, this volume is helpful. If one wonder whether one's interpretation of LW is reasonable or not and want to check with a progressive scholar, the book is brilliant. Also, the dictionary is so thorough that it might teach you a lot about Wittgenstein. If you have questions concerning Wittgenstein's views on the autonomy of language, grammar, religion, rule-following, private language etc, you should get this book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on W out there, August 12, 2003

By 

C. Gardner (Washington D.C., D.C. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Wittgenstein Dictionary (Blackwell Philosopher Dictionaries) (Paperback)

Excellent work. Along with D.F. Pears's "The False Mirror", this "dictionary" is as in-depth and wide-ranging as we could hope. I tested it by looking up "logical objects", a rather minor topic from the Tractatus but one on which Wittgenstein made definitive criticisms of Frege and Russell. The entry was thorough and clear, and I used it countless times while studying the Tractatus and PI. An excellent work for those already familiar with Wittgenstein, and for those wrestling with his ideas for the first time alike.

5.0 out of 5 stars transcedental bipolarity of propositions to the riverbed of ...., September 20, 2011

By 

cvairag (Allan Hancock College) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Wittgenstein Dictionary (Blackwell Philosopher Dictionaries) (Paperback)

I haven't picked this volume up since I studied with David Pears over a decade ago. But, I did yesterday, when I needed it, and bingo! To my mind anyway, the best quick reference on Wittgenstein, whose thought, never easy to access, and less so to penetrate, is made both accessible and comprehensible to the non-technically trained general reader. Not to say that the book, which strives to be an exhaustive reference, is easy going, which is why students may want to supplement it which some sort of narrative. For a short comprehensive narrative overview, I recommend P.M.S. Hacker's awesome entry on Wittgenstein in the Blackwell Companion to Analytic Philosophy, a very handy volume in itself. For the longer view I recommend Hacker's Wittgenstein's Place in Twentieth Century Philosophy, his earlier, fantastic Illusion & Insight - the allusion here is to Wittgenstein's loadstar, rather categorical, admonition about how not deceiving oneself ought to be the purpose of philosophy. And anything by Pears, sort of the Pindar of Analytic Philosophy.