Why Wittgenstein Matters Now

'There are indeed things that cannot be put into words. They make themselves manifest. They are what is mystical.' These words of Wittgenstein encapsulate the revolution that he brought about in 20th-century philosophy. Widely considered the greatest philosopher of his time, Wittgenstein's two major works alone - Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and Philosophical Investigations - have inspired a vast secondary literature and exercised a fascination on poets, playwrights, poets, musicians and even film makers. This short accessible book explains why Wittgenstein remains a figure of utmost importancehaving dedicated his life to philosophy. Hywel Williams explores the life of this enigmatic thinker, tracing how his philosophy intersects with issues of major contemporary importance - in particular, art, religion, education and public life. With great skill, Williams shows how directly relevant Wittgenstein is to our present preoccupations.