A brief introduction to a Hertzian reading of Wittgenstein’s Tractatus

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36517/Argumentos.22.3

Keywords:

Hertz. Wittgenstein. Ontology. Theory of figuration. Philosophy of science.

Abstract

The purpose of this short text is to present the hypothesis that there are remarkable influences of the thinking of the physicist Heinrich Hertz - especially his Principles of Mechanics (1894) – on Wittgenstein’s Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (1922). Indeed, it is widely recognized that some sort of influence of Hertz on Wittgenstein must exist; however, how and to what extent the relationship between the two thinkers was important is not unanimously resolved. We propose here three broad areas in which the thought of Wittgenstein in the Tractatus can be tributary of the mechanical system developed by Hertz (with all its additions and improvements): ontology, theory of figuration and philosophy of science. In this respect, it should be mentioned that Wittgenstein was always parsimonious in admitting to influences; though he referred to Hertz several times in his writings, he nowhere clarified the extent of Hertz’s influence on his thinking. Moreover, we consider the specialized literature on this topic neither clear nor convincing. Therefore, we aim at our own interpretation and routing of some points of what still seems to be wrapped cloaked mystery: the influence of Hertz on Wittgenstein’s Tractatus.

Author Biography

Eduardo Simões, Universidade Federal do Tocantins (UFT)

Possui graduação em Filosofia pela Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (2001), mestrado (2008) e doutorado (2012) em Filosofia pela Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar). Tem experiência na área de Filosofia atuando com temas ligados à Lógica, Filosofia da Linguagem, Filosofia da Ciência, Ética, H. Hertz e L. Wittgenstein. Atuou em atividades administrativas e de representação como coordenador de pós-graduação e coordenador de pesquisa. É autor dos livros "Wittgenstein e o Problema da Verdade" (2008), "Lógica Formal e Ética" (2009), "Hertz, Wittgenstein e a Representação do Mundo" (2012), além de um livro na área de Metodologia Científica intitulado "Manual para Normalização de Projetos de Pesquisa, Monografia e Trabalhos Científicos" (2014). Atualmente é professor adjunto (DE) e coordenador do curso de Filosofia da Universidade Federal do Tocantins, bem como, Avaliador do Sistema Nacional de Avaliação da Educação Superior (INEP - MEC). É membro da Sociedade Brasileira de Filosofia Analítica.

References

BOLTZMANN, L. Escritos Populares. Trad. Antônio A. P. Videira. São Leopoldo-RS: Editora Unisinos, 2004.

HERTZ, H. The Principles of Mechanics Presented in a New Form. Pref. W. Von Helmholtz. Trad. D. E. Jones e J. T. Walley. Intr. R. S. Cohen. New York: Dover Publications. 1956.

McGUINNES, B. F. Wittgenstein: A Life – Young Ludwige 1889-1921. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1988.

MONK, Ray. Wittgenstein: o dever do gênio. Tradução Carlos Afonso Malferrari. São Paulo: Cia das Letras, 1995.

WITTGENSTEIN, L. [1914-1916]. Notebooks [NB]. Ed. G. H. von Wright e G. E. M. Anscombe. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1969.

WITTGENSTEIN, L. [1922]. Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus [TLP]. B. Russell, F. R. S. – Introdução. Trad., apres. e ensaio introdutório de Luiz Henrique Lopes dos Santos. São Paulo: EDUSP, 1995.

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Published

2019-11-18

Issue

No. 22

Section

Artigos

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