Subject: Gellner & Wittgenstein
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 16:38:11 -0000


At the end of a message on the translation/interpretation thing, Henry
wrote:-

>(ps) i read a mostly incoherent NY Times review of a posthumous book by
>Gellner, promoted as anti-wittgenstein.  do you know what that is about?


This message only came through this afternoon, despite having been sent
yesterday. Funnily enough, I read a review of this today, in The Times
Higher Education Supplement, by John Dunn.

The book is called (for others out there) Language and Solitude:
Wittgenstein, Malinowski and the Hapsburg Dilemma, Cambridge UP, £35/£12.95

Briefly, the suggestion is that to explain the intellectual orientations,
importance and conclusions of W & M Gellner focuses on the question of
nationalism. Dunn suggests G is pretty unique in trying to do this. M is
praised for his interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for culture.
W is criticised for his desertion of serious thought for a radical,
indiscriminate prostration before culture, that there is nothing cognitively
beyond culture.

It isn't particularly clear what Gellner thought he was doing. But Dunn
suggests that whatever one feels about Wittgenstein, this is not really a
sufficient account of his philosophical life.

I haven't read the book, and am pretty unlikely to to be honest. I know W a
bit, M not at all, and have only a small knowledge of Gellner. But,
hopefully this makes a little sense to those interested.

BTW, in the same issue, there is a rather damning review of Umberto Eco's
Kant e l'ornitorinco [Kant and the Platypus]. A friend mentioned this a
while ago, but not knowing Italian meant I have been waiting for a
translation. Aside from other criticisms, Domenico Pacitti suggests that Eco
dismisses Leibniz and Heidegger's question 'why is there something rather
than nothing' with the curt 'because there is'. Pacitti says this reveals
poor sensitivity to metaphysical problems. I can't help but agree, and sense
others on this list would too. Perhaps Eco should stick to writing his (IMO
excellent) novels and journalism. Those theoretical works of his I've read
have sometimes been a little disappointing. Any thoughts on Eco out there?

Best wishes

Stuart



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