Tractatus Philosophico-Poeticus

Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is an important philosophical work of the 20th century. Signe Gjessing updates and reimagines it, marrying poetry with philosophy to test the boundaries of reality and locate beauty and significance in the nonsense of the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 41 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2022
Publisher: Lolli Editions

Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, often regarded as the most significant philosophical work of the 20th century, aimed to explore the intricate relationship between language and reality and to establish the boundaries of scientific inquiry. Building upon Wittgenstein's ideas, Signe Gjessing takes up the challenge of updating and reimagining the Tractatus, fusing poetry with philosophy to push the limits of our understanding of the world. What emerges is a stunning, enlightening, and revitalizing work of poetry that seamlessly weaves together logical reasoning and poetic expression. It is a poetry that demands the logical consequences of philosophy while simultaneously uncovering beauty and significance in the seemingly nonsensical aspects of our existence.

The Tractatus, originally written in German, is a concise and dense text that employs a highly disciplined and analytical style. It challenges traditional philosophical assumptions and seeks to establish a new foundation for understanding the world. Wittgenstein's main argument is that language is not merely a tool for expressing thoughts or communicating ideas but is an essential part of our understanding of the world. He argues that the meaning of a word or phrase cannot be separated from the context in which it is used and that our understanding of the world is shaped by the language we use.

Gjessing's reimagining of the Tractatus takes this idea further by incorporating poetry into the mix. She uses poetic language and imagery to convey complex philosophical ideas and to explore the boundaries of reality. Her poems are filled with vivid metaphors, similes, and sensory details that bring the reader into the world of the text. By marrying philosophy with poetry, Gjessing creates a unique and powerful way of exploring the relationship between language and reality.

One of the key themes of Gjessing's reimagining of the Tractatus is the idea of the "language game." According to Wittgenstein, the language game is a social construct that we use to communicate with each other. It is a set of rules and conventions that we follow in order to make sense of the world around us. Gjessing's poetry explores the ways in which the language game can be broken or subverted, and how this can lead to new understandings of the world.

Another theme of Gjessing's reimagining of the Tractatus is the idea of the "limit of science." Wittgenstein argued that science cannot explain everything about the world, and that there are certain aspects of our existence that are beyond the scope of scientific inquiry. Gjessing's poetry explores the ways in which science can be limited or constrained, and how this can lead to new philosophical questions and insights.

Through her reimagining of the Tractatus, Gjessing creates a work of poetry that is both accessible and challenging. Her use of poetic language and imagery makes complex philosophical ideas accessible to a wide audience, while her exploration of the boundaries of reality and the limits of science encourages readers to think critically and creatively.

In conclusion, Signe Gjessing's reimagining of Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is a stunning and powerful work of poetry that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of the world. By fusing poetry with philosophy, Gjessing creates a unique and powerful way of exploring the relationship between language and reality and the limits of scientific inquiry. Her work is a testament to the power of poetry to communicate complex ideas and to inspire new ways of thinking about the world.

Weight: 66g
Dimension: 111 x 190 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781919609287