Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses a problem that one encounters in connection with Wittgenstein's texts concerning philosophy: the problem if philosophy – when understood in the way he understands it - amounts to a systematic and to a theoretical activity. It outlines the problem of the Outer and the Inner and sketch Wittgenstein's dissolution to it in order to clarify his position on what philosophy amounts to. It is important that we note that the dissolution does not amount to a rejection of the Inner or, indeed, our picture of the Inner as such: all it rejects is a confused interpretation of that picture. The book shows that such a 'theoretical' view does not correspond to Wittgenstein's conception concerning philosophy. Ramsey also tried to persuade Wittgenstein to visit England to meet his friends.