Wittgenstein's 'Philosophical Investigations'

This is the ideal companion to study of this most influential and challenging of texts. Ludwig Wittgenstein's "Philosophical Investigations" is a hugely important piece of philosophical writing, one frequently encountered by students of philosophy. Yet, there is no escaping the extent of the challenge posed by Wittgenstein's work, in which complex ideas are often enigmatically expressed. In Wittgenstein's "'Philosophical Investigations': A Reader's Guide", Arif Ahmed offers a clear and thorough account of this key philosophical work. Geared towards the specific requirements of students who need to reach a sound understanding of the text as a whole, the book offers guidance on: philosophical and historical context; key themes; reading the text; reception and influence; and, further reading. "Continuum Reader's Guides" are clear, concise and accessible introductions to key texts in literature and philosophy. Each book explores the themes, context, criticism and influence of key works, providing a practical introduction to close reading, guiding students towards a thorough understanding of the text. They provide an essential, up-to-date resource, ideal for undergraduate students.

"This is a marvellously clear, compact, and compelling introductory guide to Wittgenstein's Philosophical Investigations. In something less than 200 pages, Ahmed deftly reveals both the global structure of the Investigations and also the finegrained argument-structure of its most famous set pieces, and appropriately embeds it in its historical-philosophical context too. I'll unfailingly recommend this book to my students." - Robert Hanna, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA

Arif Ahmed is Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Cambridge, UK.