The Early Wittgenstein on Metaphysics, Natural Science, Language and Value

This book advances a reading of Wittgensteins Tractatus that moves beyond the main interpretative options of the New Wittgenstein debate. It covers Wittgensteins approach to language and logic, as well as other areas unduly neglected in the literature, such as his treatment of metaphysics, the natural sciences and value. Tejedor re-contextualises Wittgensteins thinking in these areas, plotting its evolution in his diaries, correspondence and pre-Tractatus texts, and developing a fuller picture of its intellectual background. This broadening of the angle of view is central to the interpretative strategy of her book: only by looking at the Tractatus in this richer light can we address the fundamental questions posed by the New Wittgenstein debate questions concerning the method of the Tractatus, its approach to nonsense and the continuity in Wittgensteins philosophy. Wittgensteins early work remains insightful, thought-inspiring and relevant to contemporary philosophy of language and science, metaphysics and ethics. Tejedors ground-breaking work ultimately conveys a surprisingly positive message concerning the power for ethical transformation that philosophy can have, when it is understood as an activity aimed at increasing conceptual clarification and awareness.