[MD] Taking words Seriously

[david buchanan]

Matt:
It seems to me that your anti-Platonism gets turned back against itself in some very strange ways. Just a thought. More later. (I'm sure you're full of excited anticipation.)

WITTGENSTEIN AND WILLIAM JAMES by Russell B. Goodman

"This book explores Wittgenstein's long engagement with the work of the pragmatist William James. In contrast to previous discussions, Russell Goodman argues that James exerted a distinctive and pervasive positive influence on Wittgenstein's thought. He shows that both share commitments to anti-foundationalism, to the description of the concrete details of human experience, and to the priority of practice over intellect. Considering in detail what Wittgenstein learnt from his reading of William James, Goodman provides considerable evidence for Wittgenstein's claim that he is saying "something that sounds like pragmatism."

REVIEWS
"Goodman is a very acute and sensitive reader of both James and Wittgenstein, and his book will be of great help to students of both philosophers." Richard Rorty

"It is an absolutely fascinating piece of philosophy, intellectual history, and detective work that establishes categorically the influence of William James on Wittgenstein's work. Goodman's prose is lucid and the overall thrust of the argument is entirely plausible. What is perhaps most powerful is that Goodman puts the two protagonists' stories in a sort of conversation which seems perfectly self-evident...but is nonetheless quite original." Simon Critchley, Univerisity of Essex

"Wittgenstein and William James contains rich, nuanced discussions of many topics, including the definition and sources of knowledge, religion, the self and consciousness, language and meaning, emotion, and much more. Professor Goodman's book will benefit students of both James and Wittgenstein alike, because the comparisons drawn result in a deeper appreciation of both thinkers." Theory & Psychology 

"Both students of Wittgenstein and students of James will welcome this study, which reveals a more complex and rich relationship than has been supposed." - Wesley Cooper, University of Alberta