PHILOSOPHY 432/633

Philosophy of Wittgenstein

Spring 2017

Instructor Dr. Robert Barnard

Contact Email: rwbjr@olemiss.edu -- Phone: 662 915 7020
Office Hours Office: Bryant 018; Hours TBA

Course Description and Aims

Analytic philosophy is the dominant form of philosophy in the English-speaking world and is very influential
outside of that space. Within analytic philosophy, few figures have exercised more influence than Ludwig
Wittgenstein (1889-1951). This influence resulted both from powerful personal interactions as well as the two
distinct philosophical movements that emerged as reactions to his signature publications: the Tractatus Logico-
Philosophicus (1921) and the posthumous Philosophical Investigations (1953). To fully understand the
development of analytic philosophy since 1915 one must read Wittgenstein.

In this course we will read Wittgenstein. This course is structured around a careful and close reading of
Wittgenstein’s two primary works. Recommendations will be offered to enhance understanding and provide
context. If you lack certain pieces of background, you should certainly make use of these recommendations. In
class I will assume some basic familiarity with the history of philosophy, and commonly read works by Russell,
Frege, Carnap, and Ayer. A working familiarity with symbolic logic will be very helpful, but is not required.

Successful undergraduate students in PHIL 432:

· Will understand the historical influences upon and development of Wittgenstein’s thought
· Recognize themes and positions articulated by Wittgenstein
· Learn to recognize and apply some of the philosophical methods and techniques introduced in the
course.

Successful graduate students in PHIL 633:

· Will understand and explain the historical influences upon and development of Wittgenstein’s thought
· Recognize and articulate themes and positions articulated by Wittgenstein
· Learn to recognize and apply some of the philosophical methods and techniques introduced in the
course.

Core Course texts:

[1] L. Wittgenstein TRACTATUS LOGICO-PHILOSOPHICUS (Side-by-Side Comparative Edition

by Klement) in Bb

[2] L. Wittgenstein PHILOSOPHICAL INVESTIGATIONS 4th ed. (Hacker and Schulte eds., Wiley,
2009) ISBN 978-1405159289.

[3] L. Wittgenstein ON CERTAINTY (Harper and Row, 1972) ISBN 9780061316869

Additional readings and material will be assigned as necessary, some noted below.

Requirements and Grading:

1) Attendance and Participation (200)-- All students should attend all class meetings and prepare in a
manner that facilitates and promotes class participation. I will not be tracking attendance. However I will not
make any allowances related to absence from class unless I am provided adequate prior notification and
documentation as appropriate. Habitual non-attendance will be noted and count against participation. Class
participation should reflect familiarity with class readings, and preparation to contribute to class discussion.
Asking significant questions, accurately rehearsing positions or objections, or raising objections to positions
articulated in the readings or in class discussion are examples of appropriate participation.

2) Short Writings (300) – All students will write a series of exegetical essays on assigned passages. (2-4 pp
each)

3) Early/Tractatus Paper (200) – All students will prepare a critical essay on a theme discussed in the
Tractatus. (6-8 pp)

4) Later Paper (200) – All students will prepare a critical essay on a theme discussed in the later work of
Wittgenstein. (6-8 pp)

5) Final Exam (100) -- All students will submit a take-home final examination.

Sexual Misconduct Notice -- The University of Mississippi works to create and maintain a safe and healthy
learning environment as part of a broader and comprehensive educational experience. As a faculty member and
professional educator I support the goal of an educational experience open to all and free from sexual violence. We
all recognize that all forms of sexual misconduct including relationship violence and sexual assault are
incompatible with these aims. The University and its faculty and staff are committed to supporting anyone who has
been impacted by sexual misconduct in any form. Please note: university policy requires that all faculty members
report any disclosures related to sexual violence or misconduct directly to the Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to
assess and coordinate the institutional response to reported sexual misconduct. A list of resources for any impacted
person, including confidential services, can be found at http://umsafe.olemiss.edu and
http://umsafe.olemiss.edu/complainant-resources/ .

Fine Print -- All students are expected to conform to the relevant and prevailing standards of academic conduct,
both explicit and implied. The instructor reserves the right to modify the contents of this syllabus at his sole
discretion. The student is responsible for remaining informed of any changes. Attendance and/or submission of
work in this course shall be understood to constitute evidence of both acceptance and understanding of course
requirements and expectations as outlined in this or any subsequent version of the course syllabus. Course
expectations and standards are governed by the syllabus unless explicitly stated. The instructor reserves the right
to substitute or change assignments or requirements as needed. Academic Dishonesty in any form will be grounds
for course failure. Students who require reasonable accommodation based upon disability should obtain
appropriate documentation from student disability services. All written work MUST be turned in as hardcopy AND
uploaded to blackboard.

Grading Scale (1000 points total)

1000-910 A
909-780 B
779-650 C
649-500 D
499-0 F

Spring 2017 Course Schedule (Note Topics covered)

Introduction
JAN 24 Discussion of Course objectives and Structure
26 Historical Context- Frege and Russell-- Read: Glock (Bb) and Russell “Descriptions” Recommended:
Frege “The Thought” (Bb), Russell “Mathematical Logic as Based on a Theory of Types”

Pre-Tractatus
31 Notebooks 1914-1916 (Read all)

FEB 2 Notes on Logic (Appendix to Notebooks) // Reading the TLP

Tractatus
7 TLP: Russell’s introduction, Preface, 1.0-2.063
9 TLP: 2.1-3.144
14 TLP: Review prior sections, 3.2-3.328 // Short 1 due

16 TLP: 3.33-4.0641
21 TLP: Review 3.2-4.0641; 4.1-4.4661
23 TLP: 4.5 - 5.254 //Short 2 due
28 TLP: 5.3 – 5.54

MAR 2 TLP: 5.54- 6.0 //Short 3 due

7 TLP: 6.0- 6.241 // TLP proposal due
9 TLP: 6.3-7.0

BREAK

Philosophical Investigations
21 PI: Read all front matter; Sec. 1-27 //TLP Paper due

23 PI: 28-88
28 PI: 89-147 //Short 4 due
30 PI: 148-219

APR 4 PI: 220-315

6 PI: 316-409 // Short 5 due
11 PI: 410-465
13 PI: 466-546
18 PI: 547-610
20 PI: 611-693 // Short 6 due
25 PI: PPF 1-189
27 PI: PPF 190-end
On Certainty

MAY 2 Moore “Defense of Common Sense”; OC 1-346 // PI Proposal Due

4 OC 347-end

FINAL EXAM
Note: Possible disruptions around: SSPP 3/22-3/24; Midsouth Philosophy conference 3/31-4/1; APA 4/12-
4/15