Wittgenstein, Rules and Institutions

by David Bloor

Overview

Clearly and engagingly written, this volume is vital reading for students of philosophy and sociology, and anyone interested in Wittgenstein's later thought. David Bloor provides a challenging and informative evaluation of Wittgenstein's account of rules and rule-following. Arguing for a collectivist reading, Bloor offers the first consistent sociological interpretation of Wittgenstein's work for many years.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415161473
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/26/1997
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION 2 MEANING FINITISM 3 RULES AS INSTITUTIONS 4 CONSCIENTIOUSNESS 5 RULE SCEPTICISM 6 THE ANALOGY WITH VON MISES 7 INDIVIDUALISM 8 ISOLATION AND INNOVATION 9 RULES AND THE STATE OF NATURE 10 CONCLUSION

Editorial Reviews

The collectivist sees rule following as a shared convention, while the individualist sees the rule only as a standing intention. Bloor (science studies, U. of Edinburgh) uses a sociological approach and G.E.M. Anscombe's doctrine of linguistic idealism to argue that Wittgenstein's concept of rule following was collectivist. He covers Saul Kripke's and Colin McGinn's work in the area, and compares Wittgenstein's stance to David Hume's and Thomas Reid's positions on the obligation to keep promises. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

'David Bloor's recent book joins the debtaes initiated by Kripke, and formulates and extremely well argumented and most radical standpoint taken till now on the so-called collectivist side of the controversy.'

Bloor's book is an undoubtedly significant contribution to the ongoing debate.

'The reader will certainly enjoy reading this book, since it is exceptionally well written, the arguments, most of the time , are poweerfull, the examples and the historical analogies are especially intriguning. It can be used equally well for introductory purposes an as a point of departure in academic debates.'

'Bloor's book is impressive for the originality of its argument, which consciously goes beyond Wittgenstein at several points; the tenacity with which it defends its sociological perspective; and its creative use of ideas from sociology, moral philosophy, and the philosophy of science. The text deserves praise for the richness of its content.' - The Jerusalem Philosophical Quarterly

From the Publisher