Frank Ramsey and the Realistic Spirit

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

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2. Introduction

   1. Introduction

      • S. J. Methven

      Pages 1-11

3. The Realistic Spirit

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 13-13

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   2. The Realistic Spirit

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      Pages 15-38

   3. Empiricism, Solipsism and the Realistic

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      Pages 39-52

   4. Pragmatism and the Realistic

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      Pages 53-74

4. Meaning

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 75-75

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   2. Ramsey and Wittgenstein: First Encounters

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      Pages 77-115

   3. The Mystical

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      Pages 116-131

   4. Truth and Meaning

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      Pages 132-167

5. Mathematics

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 169-169

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   2. The Foundations of Mathematics

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      Pages 171-197

   3. Logical Revolt

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      Pages 198-213

6. Influence

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 215-215

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   2. Generality, Rules and Normativity

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      Pages 217-237

7. Back Matter

   Pages 238-270

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This book attempts to explicate and expand upon Frank Ramsey's notion of the realistic spirit. In so doing, it provides a systematic reading of his work, and demonstrates the extent of Ramsey's genius as evinced by both his responses to the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, and the impact he had on Wittgenstein's later philosophical insights.

• Bertrand Russell
• George Berkeley
• inquiry
• knowledge
• logic
• Ludwig Wittgenstein
• mathematics
• philosophy
• reason

“Methven’s book is a welcome contribution to the study of Ramsey’s philosophy. It contains a wealth of interesting analyses and sheds much light on Ramsey’s initial dependence on Wittgenstein’s Tractatus and how eventually he got beyond this. Methven’s book is probably the most thorough analysis ever published of Ramsey’s engagement with the Tractatus.” (Paolo Mancosu, Philosophia Mathematica, Vol. 29 (1), February, 2021)

“This book is a welcome contribution to the history of analytic philosophy, a field that has been thriving in recent times. Obviously the author is very knowledgeable in the history of the analytic tradition. The book is written in a clear and concise style …  .  It is an excellent contribution to the history of analytic philosophy, and I recommend it to everyone interested in this field.” (Günther Eder, Mathematical Reviews, April, 2018)

• Worcester College, University of Oxford, UK

  S. J. Methven

S.J. Methven is Junior Research Fellow and College Lecturer in Philosophy at Worcester College, Oxford. He completed his Ph.D at Cambridge University, before which he received an MPhil and BA from Birkbeck College, University of London.

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