Origins of Analytical Philosophy

Description

The twentieth century was marked by the triumph of the 'analytic' tradition of philosophy, which remains to this day the dominant mainstream of philosophical thought and teaching. In his landmark reflection and exploration of the origins of analytic philosophy, Michael Dummett vividly explores the roots of that tradition in the writings of such German and Austrian thinkers as Frege, Husserl and Wittgenstein. Disputing the notion of analytic philosophy as an 'Anglo-American' tradition, Dummett finds a shared well-spring in the works of the analytic and phenomenological traditions. Now available in the Bloomsbury Revelations series, Origins of Analytical Philosophy remains a vital read for anyone interested in the development of twentieth century thought and the history of philosophy.

Michael Dummett (1925-2011) was Wykeham Professor of Logic at the University of Oxford, UK. One of the most highly regarded British Philosophers of the post-war era, his work has been an important influence in the fields of logic, metaphysics, the philosophy of mathematics and the philosophy of language.

Dummett rightly says that many of the roots of analytical philosophy are to be found in German-speaking lands...The defining characteristic of analytical philosophy [he argues] is its attempt to base a comprehensive philosophical account of thought on a philosophical account of language. For anyone interested in that project, this book would be an excellent investment. It shows, clearly and concisely, how the essential first step for such a project is what Dummett calls 'the extrusion of thought from the mind.'