Wittgenstein and the End of Philosophy: Neither Theory Nor Therapy

There are a number of fundamental topics, including 'reality', 'meaning' and 'logic', that cannot be dealt with properly without an appropriate understanding of the end and limits of philosophy. In this book, Daniel D. Hutto draws on Wittgenstein's insights on how we must approach these topics to challenge the idea that we face a simple methodological choice in philosophy: to advance theory or to attempt therapy. Consideration of these topics tells against the prevalent opinion that philosophy is a kind of theorising, sceintific or otherwise. Yet, this should not lead us to think that its business is purely therapeutic, designed to help rid us of such ambitions and attendant confusions. It is possible to deny that philosophy is progressive, according the standard conception, while also denyign that it is wholly negative and deflationary. The author explores this third way by expounding, explicating and defending Wittgenstein's claim that philosophy clarifies our understanding of important philsophical matters.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction A Focus on Logic Just the Facts? Seeking Clarity Throughout Without Explanation Before Realism and Idealism Description Alone Notes References Index

About the Author :
DANIEL D. HUTTO is Professor of Philosophical Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, UK. He has published on a wide range of philosophical topics in several leading journals, including: The Monist (1995); The Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society (1998); Philosophy and Phenomenological Research (1999) and Mind and Language (2004). He is author of The Presence of Mind (1999), Beyond Physicalism (2000) and Folk Psychological Narratives (forthcoming with MIT Bradford Books, 2006). He is also editing a forthcoming Royal Institute of Philosophy volume, Narrative and Understanding Persons, for Cambridge University Press which is to appear in 2007.

Review :
'Hutto effects a much-needed repositioning of theory and therapy. His sensitive and fluent reading allows him to pick out the real implications of Wittgenstein's philosophy from its misleading look-alikes.' - Daniele Moyal-Sharrock, University of East Anglia, UK 'Professor Hutto's new book on Wittgenstein is a rare combination of philosophical sweep and scholarly detail. In cogently developing his argument, Hutto places Wittgenstein in a larger historical context that sheds light on the unique significance of this way of looking at the end of philosophy.' - Barry Curtis, Professor of Philosophy, University of Hawaii at Hilo 'Those who have decided that nothing new can be said about the degree of continuity between Wittgenstein's earliest and his latest writings should read this book. It will change their minds. Daniel Hutto has developed an original and compelling interpretation that defends the continuity thesis. This study is remarkable for its mastery of the existing literature and its acuity in making sharp distinctions. I recommend it strongly.' - Avrum Stroll, University of California, USA 'Professor Hutto tackles a problem that is central not just to the understanding of Wittgenstein but also to the self-understanding of our subject...He brings the issue to life through his extensive knowledge not just of Wittgenstein's work, but also of other reference-points ranging from transcendental idealism and Hegel's conception of logic to contemporary debates about the limits of conceptual anaylsis.' - Hans-Johann Glock, University of Reading, UK