Thursday, March 06, 2025

Expressing the Inexpressible

Culture and Value
Culture and Value 





“Perhaps what is inexpressible (what I find mysterious and am not able to express) is the background against which whatever I could express has its meaning."  ― Ludwig Wittgenstein, Culture and Value






Culture and Value by Wittgenstein, translated by Peter Winch, presents a collection of his remarks on culture and value, including thoughts on art, music, religion, and other cultural areas, presented chronologically with the German text alongside the English translation and a subject index.
The book comprises Wittgenstein's notes and remarks on various aspects of culture and value, including art, music, religion, and literature. The entries are presented chronologically, with both the German and English texts side-by-side and a subject index for easy reference.

Wittgenstein discusses Christianity, stating it is not based on historical truth but offers a narrative to be believed, regardless of historical accuracy. The book includes Wittgenstein's thoughts on Shakespeare, contrasting his character depictions with those of Tolstoy. Wittgenstein lists individuals who influenced him, including Boltzmann, Hertz, Schopenhauer, Frege, Russell, and others. "Culture and Value" provides valuable insights into Wittgenstein's philosophical thinking beyond his formal works. The book offers a glimpse into his personal reflections and observations on cultural phenomena. It allows for a deeper understanding of Wittgenstein's broader philosophical framework.

Remarkably, many of the statements made throughout the text can be taken at face value without any additional context. Ultimately, Culture and Value is a great addition to the Wittgenstein Corpus because these comments can also help readers better understand Wittgenstein's philosophy.


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