The Happy Afterlife of Ludwig W.: The People that Made Wittgenstein's Books and Turned Him into the World's Most Popular Philosopher

The Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus was the only philosophical book published by Ludwig Wittgenstein during his lifetime, and he left the majority of his philosophical writings to posterity in unpublished manuscripts and typescripts. This book tells the story of his literary heirs' ambition to publish his writings, challenging the genius cult that still exists in some historiographies of philosophy. It reveals that great philosophical works often require the pupils and followers of great philosophers to bring their thoughts into a publishable form, thus beginning the literary tradition of Western philosophy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 207 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2023
Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. KG

This captivating book weaves a profound philosophical narrative, its roots firmly entrenched in the simplicity of its backstory. During his lifetime, the renowned philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein authored just one philosophical masterpiece, the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. However, the vast majority of his philosophical writings remained unpublished, spanning an astounding 18,000 pages in the form of manuscripts and typescripts. In his testament, Wittgenstein entrusted three of his former students, Elizabeth Anscombe, Rush Rhees, and Georg Henrik von Wright, with the critical task of selecting and publishing from his vast corpus what they deemed appropriate. Over the ensuing decades, these literary heirs painstakingly edited the volumes that have come to be recognized as influential works of Wittgenstein.

Now, the essays contained within this book shed light on the endeavors of Wittgenstein's literary heirs, as they embarked on a mission to disseminate the writings of their beloved teacher. This historical account of the posthumous publication processes for Wittgenstein's writings aims to dispel the lingering genius cult that still pervades certain historiographies of philosophy. This cult, in part, contributes to the notion that great philosophical works are magically bestowed upon the world, fully formed and printed, ready to inspire the next generation of philosophers as they pass by. In reality, the history of philosophy reveals a different reality. It is often the students and followers of great philosophers who play a vital role in bringing their teachers' thoughts to fruition in a publishable form. Indeed, this is how the literary tradition of Western philosophy began to take shape.

In the case of Wittgenstein's writings, this book offers a glimpse, albeit limited, into the enigmatic processes of the discipleship that shaped the making of a legendary philosopher. It sheds light on the behind-the-scenes efforts of his literary heirs, as they navigated the complexities of editing and presenting Wittgenstein's ideas to the broader world. Through their dedication and expertise, they have contributed to the preservation and dissemination of Wittgenstein's philosophical legacy, ensuring that his ideas continue to resonate and inspire generations to come.

Weight: 506g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783662661543
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023