{"product_id":"wittgenstein-and-the-turning-point-in-the-philosophy-of-mathematics","title":"Wittgenstein and the Turning Point in the Philosophy of Mathematics","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Wittgenstein and the Turning Point in the Philosophy of Mathematics, the reviewer identifies who will gain most from S.G. G. Shankers study and why it matters. The book is for readers who want a focused, scholarly examination of Wittgensteins engagement with Godel and the philosophical fallout for Hilbert's Programme, and its single biggest reason to buy is the authors effort to locate the precise mistakes critics hinted at regarding Wittgensteins understanding of Godels second incompleteness theorem. The text reads like a careful historical and conceptual reconstruction rather than a survey, making it most useful for graduate students, researchers, and informed general readers interested in the intersection of logic and philosophy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocused historical analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author reconstructs the debate around Wittgenstein and Godel to clarify what critics meant by claims of misunderstanding, which helps readers assess competing interpretations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDetailed discussion of meta-mathematics:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book examines Wittgensteins critique of meta-mathematics and explains how that critique relates to the aims of formal systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContextualization of Hilbert's Programme:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shanker situates Wittgensteins attack within the broader historical project of Hilbert, illuminating philosophical stakes for foundations of mathematics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcise scholarly presentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e First published in 2005, the study keeps a tight focus on specific philosophical claims rather than sprawling into unrelated topics, which benefits readers seeking depth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for advanced readers:\u003c\/strong\u003e The treatment assumes familiarity with basic logical concepts, making it efficient for readers already versed in Godel and Wittgenstein to deepen their understanding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGraduate students, researchers, and informed general readers\u003c\/strong\u003e who want a concentrated study of Wittgensteins relation to Godel and the philosophical implications for Hilbert's Programme will find this work rewarding. The book is particularly well suited to those with prior exposure to the second incompleteness theorem and an interest in analytic philosophy of mathematics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot for absolute beginners or casual readers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Those without foundational knowledge of formal logic or the history of 20th century analytic philosophy may struggle with the subject matter; a more general introduction to Wittgenstein or Godel would be a better starting point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eClear focus on the specific alleged mistakes critics referenced, which sharpens philosophical debate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIlluminates Wittgensteins attack on meta-mathematics in relation to Hilberts Programme, aiding historical understanding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eConcise, scholarly style that makes dense material manageable for informed readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNot aimed at novices; the discussion assumes familiarity with technical concepts and offers limited introductory material.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWittgenstein and the Turning Point in the Philosophy of Mathematics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eS.G. G. Shanker\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirst published\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2005\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWittgenstein, Godel's second incompleteness theorem, meta-mathematics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistorical context\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHilbert's Programme and modern analytic philosophy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended readership\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGraduate students, researchers, informed general readers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe verdict:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a valuable, tightly argued study for readers who already understand basic logical results and want a clearer picture of the contested claims about Wittgenstein and Godel. Its focused analysis of meta-mathematics and Hilberts Programme makes it good value for scholars and advanced students seeking to resolve ambiguities in prior criticism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book explain Godels second incompleteness theorem?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book discusses the theorem in the context of critiques of Wittgenstein rather than providing a full textbook treatment, so it assumes some prior knowledge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book suitable for undergraduate reading?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUndergraduates with a strong background in logic may benefit, but most readers at that level will find it challenging without supplemental introductions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the study cover Hilberts Programme?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the book situates Wittgensteins attack within the aims and history of Hilberts Programme to clarify philosophical stakes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"S.G. G. Shanker","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48601395298523,"sku":"0415607558","price":61.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51KzuOB1iBL._SL1500.jpg?v=1776355139","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/wittgenstein-and-the-turning-point-in-the-philosophy-of-mathematics","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}