ABSTRACT
this is a most important book containing original ideas on a large range of topics, forming a coherent system, which whether or not it be, as the author claims, in essentials the final solution of the problems dealt with, is of extraordinary interest and deserves the attention of all philosophers. And even if the system be altogether unsound the book contains a large number of profound obiter dicta and criticisms of other theories. It is, however, very difficult to understand, in spite of the fact that it is printed with the German text and an English translation on opposite pages. Mr Wittgenstein writes, not consecutive prose, but short propositions numbered so as to show the emphasis laid upon them in his exposition. This gives his work an attractive epigrammatic flavour, and perhaps makes it more accurate in detail, as each sentence must have received separate consideration; but it seems to have prevented him from giving adequate explanations of many of his technical terms and theories, perhaps because explanations require some sacrifice of accuracy.
