For the Philosophy freaks: Wittgenstein's Poker; Have you read it?

[JanMichael]

I just finished it and have to say I loved it. The authors managed to make a ten minute confrontation between two Philosophical giants (and Bertrand Russell was there as Gandolf...) that happened back in 1946 and make it into a nice overview of 20th Century philosophical thought.

Did Wittgenstein really threaten Popper with a poker? Did Popper really drive Wittgenstein out of the room with a witty retort about threatening one's guests with a poker, or was Wittgenstein already gone after a brief (mildly hostile) exchange with his old mentor Russell?

The book gives a great recount of the now seamingly dead (Edit: What I mean by "dead" is the old school theories that the World had to digest; That the new specialized folks are spinning their Chicken Soup crap out while losing the weightiness of contemplating Human Interaction and the "WHY"...) Vienna (Central European) tradition of great coffee houses, great intellects and lofty ideals.

Here is a nice review of the book.

So, anyone else read it?

[Philosophy]

1. I've read reviews

Haven't got around to actually reading it yet. Sounds interesting.

[JanMichael]

2. Give it a look, it's worth the cost. Actually I got it an outlet mall for

$5/hardcover.

[KG]

3. not much to do up there in them mountains, is there?

[JanMichael]

6. Contemplation overload.

Or beer.

How's life?

[Whitacre D_WI]

4. I still haven't read it.

Though I'd like to.

[JanMichael]

9. I didn't expect much but it delivered.

Probably make a great play eventually.

[TacticalPeek]

5. I'm holding out for Whitehead's Texas No Limit Hold 'Em.

:silly:

[JanMichael]

7. I hear Popper tries the suflex on Ludwig.

In a cage match...

[Nlighten1]

8. It is on my short list.

But I haven't gotten to it yet. I'm too busy getting re-certified on some technology exams to read much of anything right now...excet DU.

[banana republican]

10. Didn't know Wittgenstein Played Poker: I'll Raise You 10.

eom

[WoodrowFan]

11. no but..

Kant's "Euchere" was quite good (play each hand as if you want every hand to be that good.)

But Hume's book on "Old Maid" was nonsense, claiming you can't really know the outcome of each hand. feh.

[Guaranteed]

13. LOL nt

[chefgirl]

12. I admire you

I admit to having started it more than once, and just can't get a 'taste' for it, if you will. Possibly because I tend to read at bedtime, and it isn't exactly a book given to casual reading.

I am inspired, though, to pick it up again after reading your review. I think I'll wait till my vacation, however, when I can read during daylight hours. :think:

Thanks for the reminder. Glad to hear you liked it.

-chef-