Klagge – Wittgenstein: Biography & Philosophy – Comment.

 

This splendid text is a collection of erudite essays covering the many aspects of the philosopher's thoughts, ideas and scattered pieces regarding his interesting life and eccentric personality. 

 There are nine essays in all, including an intriguing essay by Ray Monk, (Wittgenstein's biographer) arguing that philosophy as biography is simply a path to understanding the philosopher but can also blaze a greater learning path to understanding the work itself. 
 
Another German philosopher, Fredric Nietzsche, proposed that all philosophy is but a biography of the philosopher. This could well be true however this argument continues to rage in the present time. 
 
In David Stern's essay, "Was Wittgenstein a Jew", explores specific pieces of Wittgenstein's writing that on face value can be interpreted as antisemitic. However, though, circa 1929, in his study of language, Stern writes,  

"...Wittgenstein came to see that the notion of an underlying essential structure (in language) was a demand imposed by a certain way of seeing things, rather than something given to us by the nature of things." (P. 253)

It seems though, that to get to the root of the matter, that is, language as natural yet relative to time and social conditions, one would need to delve into a deep self-analysis. Interestingly, Wittgenstein was intensely retrospective all his life, and confessed to a few friends that he had lied about his Jewish heritage. These "confession(s)" were an attempt to clear his conscience, clean his soul, so to speak, because he felt his research, as a philosopher, would be fruitless in a state of self-denial. 
 
My personal favorite essay is "Deep Disquietudes" (excellent title), which writes about Wittgenstein's extreme sensitivity and sense of vulnerability. (P. 109) He discusses the philosopher's possible schizoid personality. He uses many examples from his writings, letters and those who "knew" the man. This essay is beautifully written and offers a plenitude of food for thought. 
 
At least a familiarity with the works of Wittgenstein would be of value for the reader of this text, then again, someone new to Wittgenstein’s work with a kernel of curiosity would enjoy this well edited collection of essays.