Ludwig Wittgenstein

Ludwig Wittgenstein, born in 1889 in Vienna, profoundly shaped 20th-century philosophy, particularly in language, logic, and meaning. His intellectual journey includes two major phases. In "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus" (1921), he argued that language's structure mirrors reality, aiming to clarify philosophical problems by elucidating language's logical form. His famous conclusion, "Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent," highlights the limits of language.

After a philosophical hiatus, Wittgenstein returned with "Philosophical Investigations" (1953), where he introduced "language games" to demonstrate how meaning is context-dependent and arises from varied uses of language. This shift emphasized the fluidity of meaning and the significance of ordinary language in philosophical inquiry.

Wittgenstein's ideas have influenced philosophy, linguistics, cognitive science, and literary theory, continuing to inspire and challenge scholars. Despite his complex writing, his legacy endures, shaping contemporary discussions on language, thought, and reality. He passed away in 1951.