Wittgenstein and the Social Sciences: Action, Ideology and Justice

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An examination of the relationship between Wittgenstein's philosophy and the social sciences and its implications

In Wittgenstein and the Social Sciences, Robert Vinten takes a fresh look at the relationship between Wittgenstein's philosophy and the social sciences. He argues that although social sciences are quite different to the natural sciences, they are nonetheless properly called 'sciences'. The book looks in detail at whether Wittgenstein can be claimed by conservatives, liberals, or socialists as their own. Wittgenstein's philosophical remarks and remarks about politics and culture are taken into account in deciding where to locate Wittgenstein in relation to various ideologies.

In the final part of the book, Vinten considers how Wittgenstein's philosophy can be of use in resolving or dissolving problems in the social sciences. Along the way, he critically assesses work from Perry Anderson, Terry Eagleton, Richard Rorty, and Chantal Mouffe in the light of Wittgenstein's philosophical oeuvre. The book makes a compelling examination of how Wittgenstein's work remains as relevant as ever to thinking about our cultural and political situation.

'Robert Vinten has produced an impressively meticulous and wide-ranging discussion of how Wittgenstein's mature philosophy can revitalise the social sciences. There is insight and scholarship on every page. This important book will open up new possibilities for both philosophers and social scientists.' Leonidas Tsilipakos, University of Bristol

'Vinten's book will be an invaluable tool for anyone interested in the social relevance of Wittgenstein's later thought.' Nuno Venturinha, Nova University of Lisbon

Reviews

Robert Vinten has produced an impressively meticulous and wide-ranging discussion of how Wittgensteins mature philosophy can revitalize the social sciences. There is insight and scholarship on every page. This important book will open up new possibilities for both philosophers and social scientists. Leonidas Tsilipakos, Lecturer, University of Bristol, UK

Vintens book will be an invaluable tool for anyone interested in the social relevance of Wittgensteins later thought. Nuno Venturinha, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Nova University of Lisbon, Portugal

"Robert Vinten'sWittgensteinand theSocialSciences (2020) is one of a small handful of books that have tried to take seriously the idea that Wittgenstein's philosophy is relevant to the task of understanding the social world, and perhaps relevant to the social sciences...Vinten's approach is distinctive and substantial, and he discusses a literature that did not exist at the time of Winch's or Pitkin's writing" Daniel Little (University of Michigan, Dearborn) Link here: https://cosmosandtaxis.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/little_ct_vol11_iss_3_4.pdf

"Robert Vinten's bookWittgensteinand theSocialSciences- Action, Ideology, and Justiceis another symptom ofWittgenstein's ongoing impact on philosophical practice. It join's a literature dedicated to expanding that impact into areas to whichWittgensteinhimself paid less attention (say, the philosophy of art, of thesocialsciences, of education, etc.) or into traditions in which that impact was less felt (say, phenomenology, hermeneutics, psychoanalysis, etc.). It will surely prove to be a useful and valuable addition to this literature)"Rafael Lopes Azize (Federal University of Bahia)

Linkhere:https://cosmosandtaxis.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/lopesazize_ct_vol11_iss_3_4.pdf

Author Bio

Robert Vinten is currently a postdoctoral research fellow in Lisbon, Portugal, working on a project concerned with Wittgenstein and religious epistemology. He studied history and philosophy in Glasgow, going on to obtain a doctorate at Universidade Nova in Lisbon in Wittgensteinian philosophy.