Wittgenstein: Understanding and Meaning - Volume 1 - Analytical commentary on the Philosophical Investigations

Aug 27, 2026

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Wittgenstein: Understanding and Meaning, Volume 1 of An Analytical Commentary on the Philosophical Investigations, presents Part I: Essays, focusing on key themes in Wittgenstein’s work on language and meaning. The contents trace arguments from the Augustinian conception of language through explanation, the language-game method, descriptions and sentence uses, ostensive definition, indexicals, proper names, and finally meaning as use and contextual principles. It situates these discussions within a broader analytical-philosophical framework.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages410

Reading Time17 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

Introduction to Part I: Essays

Abbreviations

I The Augustinian conception of language (§1)

II Explanation (§6)

III The language-game method (§7)

IV Descriptions and the uses of sentences (§18)

V Ostensive deﬁnition and its ramiﬁcations (§28)

VI Indexicals (§39)

VII Logically proper names (§39)

VIII Meaning and use (§43)

IX Contextual dicta and contextual principles (§50)

Wittgenstein: Understanding and Meaning Part I: Essays 􀀂 Other volumes of this Commentary Wittgenstein: Rules, Grammar and Necessity, Volume 2 of An Analytical Commentary on the Philosophical Investigations G. P. Baker and P. M. S. Hacker Wittgenstein: Meaning and Mind, Volume 3 of An Analytical Commentary on the Philosophical Investigations Part I: Essays P. M. S. Hacker Wittgenstein: Meaning and Mind, Volume 3 of An Analytical Commentary on the Philosophical Investigations Part II: Exegesis §§243–427 P. M. S. Hacker Wittgenstein: Mind and Will, Volume 4 of An Analytical Commentary on the Philosophical Investigations Part I: Essays P. M. S. Hacker Wittgenstein: Mind and Will, Volume 4 of An Analytical Commentary on the Philosophical Investigations Part II: Exegesis §§428–693 P. M. S. Hacker Epilogue: Wittgenstein’s Place in Twentieth-Century Analytical Philosophy P. M. S. Hacker Companion to this volume Wittgenstein: Understanding and Meaning, Volume 1 of An Analytical Commentary on the Philosophical Investigations Part II: Exegesis §§1–184 G. P. Baker and P. M. S. Hacker second, extensively revised edition by P. M. S. Hacker Volume 1 of An Analytical Commentary on the Philosophical Investigations Wittgenstein: Understanding and Meaning Part I: Essays 􀀂 G. P. Baker & P. M. S. Hacker Fellows of St John’s College · Oxford Second, extensively revised edition by P. M. S. Hacker © 2005 by G. P. Baker and P. M. S. Hacker BLACKWELL PUBLISHING 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 108 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1JF, UK 550 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia The right of G. P. Baker and P. M. S. Hacker to be identiﬁed as the Authors of this Work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. This edition and Wittgenstein: Understanding and Meaning. Part II: Exegesis §§1–184 originally published together as Wittgenstein— Understanding and Meaning in 1980. First published in two volumes 1983 Second, extensively revised edition published 2005 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Baker, G. P. (Gordon P.) Wittgenstein : understanding and meaning / G. P. Baker & P. M. S. Hacker. — Second, extensively rev. ed. / by P. M. S. Hacker. [p. cm](p. cm).—(Analytical commentary on the Philosophical investigations ; v. 1) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1-4051-0176-8 (hardcover : pt. 1 : alk. paper) 1. Wittgenstein, Ludwig, 1889–1951. Philosophische Untersuchungen. 2. Philosophy. 3. Language and languages—Philosophy. 4. Semantics (Philosophy) I. Hacker, P. M. S. (Peter Michael Stephan) II. Title II. Series: Baker, Gordon P. Analytical commentary on the Philosophical investigations (2000); v. 1. B3376 .W563P5323 2004 192—dc22 2004007861 A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library. Set in 10/12pt Bembo by Graphicraft Ltd, Hong Kong Printed and bound in the United Kingdom by MPG Books Ltd, Bodmin, Cornwall The publisher’s policy is to use permanent paper from mills that operate a sustainable forestry policy, and which has been manufactured from pulp processed using acid-free and elementary chlorine-free practices. Furthermore, the publisher ensures that the text paper and cover board used have met acceptable environmental accreditation standards. For further information on Blackwell Publishing, visit our website: [www.blackwellpublishing.com](www.blackwellpublishing.com) For Anne and Sylvia Contents Acknowledgements xi Introduction to Part I: Essays xiii

FAQs

What does Part I “Essays” in Volume 1 cover?

Part I presents essays organized around core topics such as the Augustinian conception of language, explanation, and the language-game method, followed by analyses of description, ostensive definition, and meaning.

How is “meaning” treated in the commentary’s structure?

Meaning is addressed through the progression toward “Meaning and use” and related discussions, emphasizing how understanding connects to linguistic practice and internal relations.

Which section discusses ostensive definition and its consequences?

Section V, “Ostensive deﬁnition and its ramiﬁcations (§28),” covers connecting language and reality, the limits of ostensive explanations, and normative aspects of definition.

Aug 27, 2026

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