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Zettel: 40th Anniversary Edition

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Before you buy one of the books on Wittgenstein's thought about philosophical psychology, buy the Philosophical Investigations and Zettel. Most of the notes in these other "books" are alternate workings of thoughts already expressed in better form in the Investigations and this volume.

Wittgenstein's "Zettel" is an underrated masterpiece. It has, in embryo, the ideas that would be more clearly formulated in the Philosophical Investigations. While Wittgenstein comes across as cold and intimidating, he is TRULY HUMAN. He says, "A poet's words can pierce us" and "soulful expression in music-this cannot be recognized in rules." He understood, as all truly human philosophers do, that the human experience transcends propriety, rules, and language itself. Wittgenstein doesn't deny the existence of feelings;he discusses fear, grief, and pain. One of his most powerful lines is, "Love is not a feeling. Love is put to the test, pain not. One does not say 'That was not true pain, or it would not have gone off so quickly.'" Wittgenstein wasn't without empathy either--in (548) he discusses empathy and the concept of another's pain.

One could argue that Wittgenstein is arguing nihilistically for the end of philosophy, and an end to emotions--when that is not the case. He has been tragically misinterpreted. He is discussing language, belief, and the human experience (especially emotions) "Zettel" is a perfect companion for Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and the Philosophical Investigations. One might also want to check out the only art film on this great 20th century philosopher by the late, great Derek Jarman Wittgenstein (Special Edition)

Keeping in mind that the early Wittgenstein intended to express everything clearly that could be said, though the most important things could not be said, they could only be shown, this book is a marvelous collection of just the sort of questions I suppose led him to change his mind. Each is thoughtful and leads no where -- which is precisely the point.