Wittgenstein - Personl Recollections - Review

This is a truly incredible volume of recollections from five individuals who knew Wittgenstein in one capacity or another, giving the reader a new perspective or human side to a philosopher that is shrouded in misunderstanding and myth. On the surface, the text does not comment on Wittgenstein's philosophy as such, however, from these recollections and conversations, if one reads between the lines, so to speak, gains a possible unique access point into the philosopher's thought processes, revealing a religious and somewhat mystical Wittgenstein, a man deeply concerned about his fellow man and the conditions of the modern world.

The recollections begin with his older sister's memoir, Hermine Wittgenstein, and her view of her little brother shows nothing less than admiration, her genuine concern for his well being and acute observations about his incredible capacity for work and his constant striving for perfection in himself and in everything he attempted. At the outset of WW1, Wittgenstein was not medically fit for service, thus he volunteered, placing himself, as the war progressed, closer and closer to the front lines. She found it humorous that the military authorities believed Wittgenstein to be avoiding battle, when in fact he wanted to put himself squarely in the middle of it. In the end he succeeded, and won medals for bravery and the admiration from his fellow soldiers. Hermine's recollections of Wittgenstein designing and building her sisters famous house in Vienna, reveals again, the razor sharp thought and perfection of the philosopher, as the house, architecturally, was truly an example of modern style that was spawned and flourished in Germany and throughout Europe after the war.

The famous literary critic and teacher, F.R. Leavis, writes an anecdotal piece that reveals Wittgenstein's "single-mindedness" and genius on many levels. As many people who knew the philosopher would testify, Wittgenstein rarely conversed philosophy but lectured, sometimes for hours, never letting anyone else get a word in edgewise. Leavis's dislike for Bertrand Russel is no secret, however it becomes even more than clear when he illustrates Wittgenstein and Russel's differences in personality, one striving for selflessness and the other immortality.

The most revealing of all the recollections would have to be M.O'C. Drury, a student and life long friend of the philosopher who was present at his death at Cambridge. Drury would immediately, after spending anytime with Wittgenstein, return to his rooms and write down, as best he could, the subject of their discussion. He continued this habit over many years, which shows Wittgenstein's value of the truth, his views on music, and the constant struggle with his writing. I would have to admit that Dr. Drury's recollections are the clearest and better written of the entire group. Conversely, Rush Rhee's "Postscript" is an exceptional analysis of Wittgenstein's struggle with self-deception and his Jewishness.

This is a fine volume and the type of memoir that one can return to time and again and find new perspectives on the philosopher.