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862-0137-00L 3 Credits MSC D-GESS

Wittgenstein: Philosophical Investigations

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Arvi-Antti Erik Särkelä
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:27

Abstract

In this reading group, we explore Ludwig Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations.His reflections on language will be examinded, meaning, and understanding, questioning how words shape our perception of the world. Our aim is to engage critically with Wittgenstein’s thought and its impact on modern philosophy and culture. By all this, we train and cultivate our skills of text interpretation.

Objective

In our reading group, we carefully explore Ludwig Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations.Together, we immerse ourselves in, and analyze, his reflections on language, thought, and meaning, and try to understand how, according to Wittgenstein, ordinary language shapes our understanding of the world. With particular attention to his ideas of language games, rule following, and the limits of expression, we seek to grasp how Wittgenstein rethought philosophy as a method of clarification rather than as a theoretical endeavor. Our goal is to understand how his insights challenge traditional views of knowledge and mind, and to explore their relevance for ethics, science, and culture more broadly. Through collaborative discussion, we develop our own interpretations, refine our grasp of philosophical difficulties, and experience how Wittgenstein’s approach continues to transform the way we think and speak about reality.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance

Registration & Places

Max Places
18
Priority: Registration for the course unit is until 20.02.2026 only possible for the primary target group

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
seminar Wittgenstein: Philosophical Investigations
  • Tue 14:15-16:00 (IFW D 42)
2 h weekly

Offered In