Two Conceptions of Die Uberwindung der Metaphysik Carnap and Early Wittgenstein

Abstract

Abstract This paper has two aims: first, to show that if most commentators on Wittgenstein are correct in the views that they attribute to Wittgenstein, then Carnap is a far more important philosopher (and one whose thought is far closer to that of Wittgenstein) than is generally acknowledged in such commentaries, and second, to suggest that the views that are thus attributed to Wittgenstein in such commentaries, although they are to be found in some of the writings of Carnap, are not to be found in the writings of Wittgenstein-not even those of early Wittgenstein.