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The House of Wittgenstein Family at War: A Study in Intellectual and Political Conflict

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The Wittgenstein family was one of the most prominent intellectual families of the early 20th century. Ludwig Wittgenstein, the philosopher, was the most famous member of the family, but his brother Paul and sister Margaret were also accomplished intellectuals in their own right. The family was deeply divided by the First World War, with Ludwig and Margaret supporting the Austrian war effort and Paul supporting the British war effort.

The House of Wittgenstein: A Family at War

by Alexander Waugh

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6837 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	370 pages

The war had a profound impact on the Wittgenstein family. Ludwig was captured by the Italians and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner of war. Paul was wounded in action and spent the rest of the war in a hospital. Margaret worked as a volunteer nurse on the front lines. The war experience left all three of them deeply traumatized.

After the war, the Wittgenstein family was never the same. Ludwig became increasingly withdrawn and isolated. Paul became a successful businessman and philanthropist. Margaret became a social activist and pacifist. The three siblings never fully recovered from the trauma of the war, and their relationships to each other were forever damaged.

The House of Wittgenstein Family at War is a fascinating study of the impact of war on a family of intellectuals. The book provides a unique insight into the lives and ideas of three of the most important thinkers of the 20th century.

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Ludwig Wittgenstein was born in Vienna in 1889. He was the youngest of eight children. His father was a wealthy industrialist and his mother was a devout Catholic. Wittgenstein was a brilliant student, and he quickly excelled in mathematics and philosophy. He studied at the University of Cambridge, where he came under the influence of the philosopher Bertrand Russell. Wittgenstein's early work on the foundations of mathematics was groundbreaking, and he is considered one of the most important philosophers of the 20th century.

During the First World War, Wittgenstein served in the Austrian army. He was captured by the Italians and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner of war. The war experience had a profound impact on Wittgenstein. He became increasingly withdrawn and isolated. After the war, Wittgenstein returned to Cambridge, where he continued to work on his philosophy. However, he never fully recovered from the trauma of the war, and his later work was marked by a sense of despair and pessimism.

Wittgenstein died in Cambridge in 1951. He was one of the most important philosophers of the 20th century, and his work has had a profound impact on the development of philosophy.

Paul Wittgenstein

Paul Wittgenstein was born in Vienna in 1887. He was the eldest of eight children. His father was a wealthy industrialist and his mother was a devout Catholic. Wittgenstein was a brilliant student, and he quickly excelled in mathematics and music. He studied at the University of Vienna, where he studied law and music. Wittgenstein was a talented pianist, and he was considered one of the most promising young pianists of his generation. However, his career was cut short when he lost his right arm in a war injury during the First World War.

After the war, Wittgenstein returned to Vienna, where he continued to study law. He also began to compose music for the left hand. Wittgenstein's music was innovative and experimental, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most important composers of his generation. He also became a successful businessman and philanthropist. Wittgenstein died in New York City in 1961. He was one of the most important composers of the 20th century, and his music continues to be performed and recorded today.

Margaret Wittgenstein

Margaret Wittgenstein was born in Vienna in 1888. She was the second of eight children. Her father was a wealthy industrialist and her mother was a devout Catholic. Wittgenstein was a brilliant student, and she quickly excelled in mathematics and philosophy. She studied at the University of Vienna, where she studied mathematics and physics. Wittgenstein was a talented mathematician, and she was considered one of the most promising young mathematicians of her generation. However, her career was cut short when she was forced to give up her studies to care for her sick mother.

After her mother's death, Wittgenstein became a social activist and pacifist. She worked to help refugees and the poor. She also spoke out against war and violence. Wittgenstein was a controversial figure, and she was often criticized for her outspoken views. However, she never wavered in her commitment to social justice and peace. Wittgenstein died in Vienna in 1958. She was one of the most important social activists and pacifists of the 20th century, and her work continues to inspire people today.

The impact of war on the Wittgenstein family

The First World War had a profound impact on the Wittgenstein family. Ludwig was captured by the Italians and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner of war. Paul was wounded in action and spent the rest of the war in a hospital. Margaret worked as a volunteer nurse on the front lines. The war experience left all three of them deeply traumatized.

The House of Wittgenstein: A Family at War

by Alexander Waugh

4.3 out of 5