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Articolo | Answering Sraffa on Religion: Wittgenstein Walking the Tightrope

Answering Sraffa on Religion: Wittgenstein Walking the Tightrope

Abstract

The subject of religion, one might think, although discussed in the Tractatus, is conspicuously absent from or in Wittgenstein’s later works, particularly in the Philosophical Investigations. Using Sraffa’s comments as a starting point, I tentatively deal with the absence of the subject by considering the question whether Wittgenstein’s religious views are compatible with his philosophies in the Tractatus and in the Philosophical Investigations. Answering this question involves examining Wittgenstein’s own central concern about his convictions in his later years, namely, to what extent one can honestly be a religious thinker nowadays. Presumably, his philosophy might not allow a “philosophy of religion”, if his own views on religion are not compatible with his philosophy. I tackle these issues beginning with Wittgenstein’s conversations with Ludwig Hänsel, then move to his later views and relevant passages in the Philosophical Investigations. With this in place, I uncover a religious moment that is not completely apparent in his later book, namely, an admission of errors that is a sort of confession.


Open access

Presentato: 12 Febbraio 2024 | Pubblicato 14 Ottobre 2024 | Lingua: en

Keywords HänselReligious BeliefSraffaReligionWittgenstein TolstoyConfession


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