The Significance of Poetry for Wittgenstein’s Approach towards Philosophy

Abstract

Despite the role of a scientific approach in Wittgenstein’s philosophy, one must not neglect the significance of a literary viz. poetic feature in his way of thinking and writing.

In fact, as early as in the Tractatus – a work governed by logical-analytic concerns – Wittgenstein was aware of the limits of science he hinted at (TLP, 6.52), not only in the last few pages but also as early as in the Preface. And in a letter to Ludwig von Ficker he remarked that his work was both ‚strictly philosophical & literary‘ (CLF: 33).

In the following I will first draw attention to his high appreciation of literature, especially poetry, and secondly I will discuss in to what extent his way of writing philosophy was shaped by a so-called poetic concern in his very style of writing.

This involves referring not only to authors he appreciated, but also to authors who appreciated Wittgenstein, for example Ingeborg Bachmann, with whom he had much in common in their high ethos in their treatment of language and its use.

Finally, I will discuss a few aspects I consider important for the connection between aesthetics and Wittgenstein’s philosophy.