Wittgenstein Between Formalism and Romanticism: Postmetaphysical philosophy and philosophy of logic
\nModern analytic philosophy is often associated with logic\, precision\, and formal methods. Yet the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein was shaped not only by developments in logic and the foundations of mathematics but also by literary and Romantic reflections on the limits of language. This two-day masterclass examines how these seemingly opposed traditions&mdash\;formalism and Romanticism&mdash\;jointly illuminate Wittgenstein&rsquo\;s view that philosophical problems arise from what he famously called the &ldquo\;mythology in our language.&ldquo\;
\nThe first part of the masterclass investigates the role of formalist ideas in the development of Wittgenstein&rsquo\;s early philosophy\, particularly in the period following the publication of Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Discussions will explore how debates about the foundations of mathematics and logic influenced Wittgenstein&rsquo\;s rejection of metaphysical explanations and his later emphasis on the idea that meaning is grounded in use.
\nThe second part turns to themes that resonate with the Romantic tradition\, including the limits of language\, the ethical and religious dimensions of what cannot be said\, and the philosophical significance of literary reflection. Particular attention will be given to Wittgenstein&rsquo\;s remarks on philosophical method in the preface to Philosophical Investigations and their parallels with literary reflections on creativity and expression in works such as Kubla Khan and The Prelude.
\nA central theme of the masterclass is Wittgenstein&rsquo\;s diagnosis of philosophical confusion. On the one hand\, the forms of language themselves can mislead us\, encouraging us to treat grammatical appearances as if they revealed deep metaphysical structures. On the other hand\, philosophers are often tempted to model their work on the explanatory methods of the natural sciences. By situating Wittgenstein between formalism and Romanticism\, the masterclass aims to clarify his distinctive conception of philosophy: not as theory-building but as a practice that dissolves philosophical confusion by attending to the role of language in human life.
\nhe aim of this masterclass is to provide graduate students with a deeper understanding of the intellectual background and methodological ambitions of Wittgenstein&rsquo\;s philosophy of language\, while also highlighting the broader relationship between analytic philosophy and the humanistic traditions of literature\, ethics\, and cultural reflection. By examining Wittgenstein&rsquo\;s work at the intersection of formal logic\, the critique of scientific method in philosophy\, and Romantic reflections on the limits of expression\, the masterclass seeks to illuminate how philosophical problems arise and how they might be addressed without losing sight of the human practices in which language is embedded. \;
\nMore specifically\, the objectives are: \;
\nThe workshop aims to explore the growing research on "difficult actions" &ndash\; actions sometimes described as "against the odds". \; Such actions encompass a wide range of human endeavours\, from physically demanding feats to emotionally taxing decisions\, morally challenging dilemmas\, and epistemically uncertain undertakings. This workshop will delve into how these actions are conceived\, what makes them particularly challenging\, and the ethical and epistemic considerations involved in their pursuit. \;
\nThe workshop will address three core themes: \; 1) &lrm\;Defining Difficult Actions: \;We will \;seek \;to \;establish \;a robust definition of "difficult actions\," examining various philosophical accounts and exploring the commonalities and distinctions between different forms of difficulty in action. \; 2) Exploring the Value of Difficult Actions: \;We will delve into what - if anything - makes difficult actions valuable and under what conditions. 3) Exploring the Rationality of Difficult Actions: We will ask how it can be rational to pursue a difficult action. \;
\nCall for Abstracts: \; We invite submissions by scholars from various philosophical sub-disciplines as well as from psychology and economics (or related fields) to contribute to a deeper understanding of the definition\, value\, and rationality of such actions. \; Abstracts should be between 800&ndash\;1\,000 words and address any aspect of difficult actions\, broadly construed. \;We \;particularly welcome contributions from members of underrepresented demographics in philosophy and early career scholars. \; Please submit your abstract by June 07\, 2026 via this form: \;https://forms.gle/RyKGAevmQUzkkfeh7
ORGANIZER;CN=Lisa Bastian;CN=Annalisa Costella: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR