Wittgenstein's Lectures of the Foundations of Mathematics, Cambridge, 1939

Wittgenstein, Ludwig; edited by Cora Diamond from the notes of R. G. Bosanquet, Norman Malcolm, Rush Rhees and Yorick Smythies

ISBN 10: 0801409594 / ISBN 13: 9780801409592

Published by Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 1976

About this Item

Transcriptions of 31 lectures based on the notes of four of Wittgenstein's students; the lectures dealt with the relationship between mathematics and its application; propositions; logic & mathematics. As the lectures dealt with these topics "more fully and clearly" than Wittgenstein's own writings, it was felt this compiled version would help scholars better understand his ideas. Hardcover in jacket, as pictured; the first American edition. Light wear to book, minor binding flaw inside rear cover; jacket shows minor wear but faded spine. Minor pencil markings erased, text believed clean; 300 pages + colophon; index, a few figures & equations. Size: Octavo.

Seller Inventory # x1620

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Wittgenstein's Lectures of the Foundations of Mathematics, Cambridge, 1939
• Publisher: Cornell University Press, Ithaca
• Publication Date: 1976
• ISBN 10: 0801409594
• ISBN 13: 9780801409592
• Binding: Hard Cover
• Edition: First American Edition.
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy

About this title

Synopsis

s/t: From the Notes of R.G. Bosanquet, Norman Malcolm, Rush Rhees & Yorick Smythies
For several terms at Cambridge in 1939, Wittgenstein lectured on the philosophical foundations of mathematics. A lecture class taught by him hardly resembled a lecture. He sat on a chair in the middle of the room, with some of the class sitting in chairs, some on the floor. He never used notes. He paused frequently, sometimes for several minutes, while he puzzled out a problem. He often asked his listeners questions & reacted to their replies. Many meetings were largely conversation. These lectures were attended by, among others, D.A.T. Gasking, J.N. Findlay, Stephen Toulmin, Alan Turing, G.H. von Wright, R.G. Bosanquet, Norman Malcolm, Rush Rhees & Yorick Smythies. Notes taken by these last four are the basis for the 31 lectures in this book. The lectures covered such topics as the nature of mathematics, the distinctions between mathematical & everyday languages, the truth of mathematical propositions, consistency & contradiction in formal systems, the logicism of Frege & Russell, Platonism, identity, negation & necessary truth. The mathematical examples used are nearly always elementary.

From the Back Cover

For several terms at Cambridge in 1939, Ludwig Wittgenstein lectured on the philosophical foundations of mathematics. A lecture class taught by Wittgenstein, however, hardly resembled a lecture.