Wittgenstein's Tractatus - PHI00103M

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Module summary

In this module, we will closely study the only book Wittgenstein published in his lifetime: the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. On the one hand, we will study the logical, metaphysical, and ethical doctrines apparently advanced in the Tractatus. On the other, we will examine Wittgenstein’s Tractarian insistence that it is really impossible to advance any philosophical doctrines.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

Subject content

• To examine the first-order philosophical doctrines that Wittgenstein apparently advances in the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus.

• To examine Wittgenstein’s Tractarian insistence that it is impossible to advance first-order philosophical doctrines (despite apparently doing just that himself).

• To explore a variety of interpretations of the Tractatus, including so-called “traditional” interpretations and “resolute” interpretations.

• To decide for ourselves which, if any, aspects of the Tractatus should be accepted today, and which should be rejected.

Academic and graduate skills

• To develop students’ interpretative skills, by closely studying a notoriously difficult text.

• To develop students’ writing skills, by writing an essay on the Tractatus.

To develop students’ analytical skills, by encouraging them to consider which parts of the Tractatus should be accepted today, and which parts should be rejected.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students should be able to:

• Explain and evaluate various interpretations of the Tractatus.

• Critically evaluate the various first-order philosophical doctrines apparently advanced in the Tractatus.

• Critically evaluate Wittgenstein’s Tractarian insistence that it is really impossible to advance first-order philosophical doctrines.

• Defend informed opinions about which parts of the Tractatus should still be accepted today.

By the end of this module, students should have developed the following academic skills:

• They should be able to read and critically engage with difficult philosophical material.

• They should be able to develop and defend a considered view on important questions about philosophy.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in accordance with the policies of the Philosophy Department

Indicative reading

Wittgenstein, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

Anscombe, An Introduction to Wittgenstein’s Tractatus

Diamond, The Realistic Spirit

McGinn, Elucidating the Tractatus