Language and Solitude: Wittgenstein, Malinowski and the Habsburg Dilemma - Softcover

Gellner, Ernest

  • 3.91 out of 5 stars
    67 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780521639972: Language and Solitude: Wittgenstein, Malinowski and the Habsburg Dilemma
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0521639972 ISBN 13: 9780521639972
Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1998

Synopsis

Ernest Gellner (1925-1995) has been described as "one of the last great central European polymath intellectuals." In this, his last book, he throws new light on two key figures of the twentieth century: the philosopher Wittgenstein, and Malinowski, founder of modern British social anthropology. Gellner shows how the thought of both men grew from a common background of assumptions about human nature, society, and language. He ties together themes that preoccupied him, epitomizing his belief that philosophy--far from "leaving everything as it is"--is about important historical, social and personal issues.

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Reviews

In this book, Wittgenstein and Malinowski meet at the intersection of their ideas about language and the intellectual climate of the (late) Habsburg era, by which both were influenced. The book is primarily a highly negative appraisal of Wittgenstein's work?both the earlier and later phases?contrasted with a positive appraisal of Malinowski's. The anthropologist, in this account, is seen to have been "far more original" and, ultimately, more important than the philosopher. This view would, of course, be anathema to many contemporary philosophers?and not only because Wittgenstein has provided them with a lucrative cottage industry. Be that as it may, Gellner's grasp of both men's work and of history and politics, together with a marvelously fluid and engaging prose style, make this a book most academic libraries will want for their philosophy, anthropology, and intellectual history collections. (Gellner, after a distinguished career in philosophy and anthropology, died in 1995.)?Leon H. Brody, U.S. Office of Personnel Mgt. Lib., Washington, DC
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publication date
1998
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0521639972
ISBN 13 
9780521639972
Binding
Paperback
Number of pages
230
Editor
Gellner David
Rating
  • 3.91 out of 5 stars
    67 ratings by Goodreads

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780521630023: Language and Solitude: Wittgenstein, Malinowski and the Habsburg Dilemma

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0521630029 ISBN 13:  9780521630023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1998
Hardcover