Normativity, Meaning and Philosophy: Essays on Wittgenstein

This is a collection of essays on Wittgenstein and Wittgensteinian themes that appeared between 1996 and 2019. It is divided into three parts, with a common trajectory laid out in a substantial introduction.

The first part links meaning, necessity and normativity. It defends and modifies Wittgenstein's claim that the idea of a 'grammatical rule' holds the key to understanding linguistic meaning and its connection to necessary truth. The second part elucidates the connections between meaning, concepts and thought in Wittgenstein and beyond. It shows how he laid the grounds for a sound understanding of four contested issues - radical interpretation, concepts, nonsense and animal minds. The third part provides a qualified defence of Wittgenstein's controversial idea that philosophical problems are conceptual, and thereby rooted in confusions concerning the meanings of and semantic relations between linguistic expressions. Against irrationalist interpretations, it demonstrates that Wittgenstein's method is argumentative rather than therapeutic.

The collection as a whole makes a powerful case for an analytic perspective on Wittgenstein. The essays bring out the abiding relevance of Wittgenstein's reflections to contemporary debates on central topics such as the role of normativity, the foundations of linguistic meaning, the nature of concepts, the possibility of animal thought, and the proper methods of philosophy.

“This is an outstanding collection of Glock’s essays on Wittgenstein. They are written with exemplary clarity and methodological self-consciousness, illuminating major themes in Wittgenstein’s philosophy and highlighting difficulties. This volume constitutes a permanent and invaluable contribution to both analytic philosophy and Wittgenstein studies.”—P. M. S. Hacker, St John’s College, Oxford, UK.

“I can’t think of anyone who has contributed more to our understanding of Wittgenstein’s philosophy than Hanjo Glock. Although I’m greatly looking forward to reengaging with this collection of his essays, I don’t need to do that in order to be confident of the education and pleasure I will receive from it, and I can already recommend, in the strongest possible terms, that any philosopher should study it very carefully.” —Paul Horwich, New York University, USA.

“The very well-argued and enjoyable essays in this collection present some of the most important highlights of Glock’s take on Wittgenstein’s philosophy. His approach is always balanced, supremely well informed, and continues successfully to present Wittgenstein’s work as of central and enduring importance to modern philosophy.”—John Preston, University of Reading, UK.

Dr. Hans-Johann Glock is professor of philosophy at the University of Zurich (Switzerland), visiting professor at the University of Reading (UK) and a recipient of a Humboldt Research Prize.

This is a collection of essays on Wittgenstein and Wittgensteinian themes that appeared between 1996 and 2019. It is divided into three parts, with a common trajectory laid out in a substantial introduction. The first part links meaning, necessity and normativity. It defends and modifies Wittgenstein's claim that the idea of a 'grammatical rule' holds the key to understanding linguistic meaning and its connection to necessary truth. The second part elucidates the connections between meaning, concepts and thought in Wittgenstein and beyond. It shows how he laid the grounds for a sound understanding of four contested issues--radical interpretation, concepts, nonsense and animal minds. The third part provides a qualified defence of Wittgenstein's controversial idea that philosophical problems are conceptual, and thereby rooted in confusions concerning the meanings of and semantic relations between linguistic expressions. Against irrationalist interpretations, it demonstrates that Wittgenstein's method is argumentative rather than therapeutic. The collection as a whole makes a powerful case for an analytic perspective on Wittgenstein. The essays bring out the abiding relevance of Wittgenstein's reflections to contemporary debates on central topics such as the role of normativity, the foundations of linguistic meaning, the nature of concepts, the possibility of animal thought, and the proper methods of philosophy.

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