Title
Wittgenstein Flies a Kite: A Story of Models of Wings and Models of the World,Used
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In this elegant historical narrative of ideas, Duke professor of philosophy Susan Sterrett reveals a story at the beginning of our modern fascination with the nature of language. The philosophy of language and experimental research in aeronautics made great leaps at about the same time in the early twentieth century. Strange as it may sound, this was no coincidence. Sterrett shows what Wittgenstein's glimpse of a solution to the problem of language in 1914 had to do with experimental models which had been so crucial to the Wright brothers' solving the problem of flight. On the ever of World War I in Europe, Wittgenstein, after having left aeronautical research to study philosophy, was deeply dissatisfied with Bertrand Russell's solution to the paradoxes of logic: the theory of types. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic Ocean, a physicist called upon to help set up U.S. aeronautical research capability was pondering how the logic of empirical equations held the key to identifying physically similar situations, which in turn explain the success of the Wright brothers' research on their apparatus constructed of cardboard cartons and bicycle parts. His conclusion had a twist: what mattered was the mere existence of an equation that would work for any units one chose to use. This highly abstract explanation held an answer to Wittgenstein's problems about the logic of propositions. In a moment of insight, he became convinced that thinking about a proposition a model or picture would solve the problems of philosophy. The result was the strikingly different view of language presented in the Tractates LogicoPhilosophicus that has commanded attention ever since.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Wittgenstein Flies a Kite'? A: The main theme of 'Wittgenstein Flies a Kite' is the relationship between the philosophy of language and aeronautics, exploring how insights into language models parallel the development of experimental models in flight.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'Wittgenstein Flies a Kite' is Susan G. Sterrett, a Duke professor of philosophy.
- Q: What is the publication date of the book? A: The book was published on November 16, 2005.
- Q: How many pages does 'Wittgenstein Flies a Kite' have? A: The book contains 352 pages.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: The binding type of 'Wittgenstein Flies a Kite' is hardcover.
- Q: Is 'Wittgenstein Flies a Kite' a first edition? A: Yes, this book is a first edition.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: The item condition is listed as 'Good'.
- Q: What genre does this book belong to? A: The book falls under the genre of History & Philosophy.
- Q: Does the book discuss Wittgenstein's philosophical ideas? A: Yes, the book discusses Wittgenstein's philosophical ideas, particularly his views on language and logic, as well as their connection to aeronautical research.
- Q: What insights does the author provide about the connection between language and flight? A: The author provides insights on how models of propositions in language relate to models used in aeronautics, illustrating a historical narrative that links these two fields.