Introduction: On Reading Wittgenstein on Religion

Abstract

Wittgenstein belongs to history. He began his philosophical studies at Cambridge over one hundred years ago, published his first book (the only to be published during his lifetime) more than ninety years ago, and, following a philosophically abundant period of just over two decades, died more than sixty years ago. While there is considerable disagreement in the philosophical community over the value of Wittgenstein’s philosophy, frequently he is listed as the, or among the, most important philosophers of the twentieth century. He is still widely read, if not quite as widely as during the decades of his students’ lives and influence (Biletzki, 2003, p. 190). Much of twentieth century philosophy was undertaken within his wake (whether with gratitude or scorn). Wittgenstein is surely important to study as a recent historical figure, but what is his importance today? The ultimate goal of this book is to respond to this question in connection with contemporary philosophy of religion. The motivation for this study stems, in part, from the observation that religions are human phenomena of great significance to contemporary events (on local, national, and global levels) and that Wittgenstein’s philosophy has much to offer in reevaluating what the philosophy of religion could be at this moment in history.