Augustine and Wittgenstein
Contributions by Myles Burnyeat University of Cambridge, Brian R. Clack University of San Diego, Espen Dahl Arctic University of Norway, Chad Engelland Assistant Professor of Philosophy, University of Dallas, Alexander R. Eodice, David Goodill, Blackfriars, University of Oxford, UK, Garry Hagberg James H. Ottaway Jr. Professor of Philosophy and Aesthetics, Bard College, Miles Hollingworth, Erika Kidd University of St. Thomas, Kim Paffenroth, Duncan Richter, Caleb Thompson University of Virginia Edited by Kim Paffenroth, Alexander R. Eodice, John Doody
Publication date:
15 September 2018Length of book:
216 pagesPublisher
Lexington BooksDimensions:
240x161mm6x9"
ISBN-13: 9781498585262
This collection examines the relationship between Augustine and Wittgenstein and demonstrates the deep affinity they share, not only for the substantive issues they treat but also for the style of philosophizing they employ. Wittgenstein saw certain salient Augustinian approaches to concepts like language-learning, will, memory, and time as prompts for his own philosophical explorations, and he found great inspiration in Augustine’s highly personalized and interlocutory style of writing philosophy. Each in his own way, in an effort to understand human experience more fully, adopts a mode of philosophizing that involves questioning, recognizing confusions, and confronting doubts. Beyond its bearing on such topics as language, meaning, knowledge, and will, their analysis extends to the nature of religious belief and its fundamental place in human experience. The essays collected here consider a broad range of themes, from issues regarding teaching, linguistic meaning, and self-understanding to miracles, ritual, and religion.
The series to which Augustine and Wittgenstein belongs is focused on Augustine. Editors John Doody, Alexander B. Eodice, and Kim Paffenroth, however, achieve a remarkable balance across all the chapters. The fact that its chapters pose questions worth pursuing beyond its own parameters demonstrates its potential relevance to readers from other fields. For this, the editors and authors are to be greatly thanked.