Ludwig Wittgenstein
The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.
Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus essential
Written between 1914 and 1918, partly at the front. Published in German in 1921 (with many misprints), then in a bilingual edition in 1922: Wittgenstein revised the German text and approved the English translation by Ogden and Ramsey. The only philosophy book published in his lifetime. Introduction by Russell, which Wittgenstein disapproved of.
A Lecture on Ethics essential
His only popular lecture, written in English for a Cambridge student society (probably in November 1929). Published only in 1965. The "§n" numbers are our own division, not a printed numbering.
Philosophical Investigations essential
Part I (§§1-693) was almost ready, with a preface dated January 1945, but he did not publish it: it appeared in 1953, two years after his death, edited by Anscombe and Rhees. The "Part II" was added by the editors. We quote the German and Anscombe's English translation.
The Blue and Brown Books
Notes dictated to his students in 1933-1935, published after his death. The transition between the two Wittgensteins. Not yet in our corpus.
On Certainty
Remarks written in the last eighteen months of his life, on doubt and on what cannot be doubted. Not yet in our corpus.