Wittgenstein and the Problem of Metaphysics: Aesthetics, Ethics and Subjectivity

Michael Smith offers a new perspective on Wittgenstein's metaphysical consistencies, challenging the traditional view of his work as a critique of metaphysics. He highlights the poetic nature of Wittgenstein's philosophy, his preoccupation with ethics and aesthetics, and the limits and possibilities of metaphysics, aesthetics, ethics, and the philosopher's task. Smith's analysis of Nietzsche's critique of Kantian aesthetics and Kants' judgments of taste provides a unique discussion of the limits and possibilities of metaphysics, aesthetics, ethics, and the philosopher's task.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Michael Smith offers a fresh perspective on the metaphysical coherence found throughout Wittgenstein's diverse writings. He demonstrates how Wittgenstein's criticism of metaphysics often relied on the very concept he aimed to eliminate. By adopting a different approach to the inherent contradiction in his work, Smith transforms the "problem of metaphysics" into a guiding principle of Wittgenstein's thought, rather than something to be overcome. This metaphysical thread allows for a deeper reflection on the poetic nature of Wittgenstein's philosophy, as well as his preoccupation with ethics and aesthetics, which are often overlooked in the secondary literature. Smith's innovative analysis of Nietzsche's critique of Kantian aesthetics and Kant's "judgments of taste" further enriches this discussion. The result is a unique exploration of the boundaries and potential of metaphysics, aesthetics, ethics, and the role of the philosopher in general.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350188730