Philosophical Investigations

Published posthumously in 1953, 'Philosophical Investigations' is a seminal work by Ludwig Wittgenstein that challenges many of the ideas presented in his earlier work, 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus'.

The book is divided into two parts and consists of short observations or 'remarks' that delve into topics such as the theory of language, language games, meaning, symbols, concepts, and categories.

Wittgenstein argues that the meaning of a word is derived from its use within the context of a language-game, rejecting the idea that words gain meaning by referencing objects or mental representations.

He emphasizes the importance of understanding language as a tool for communication and social interaction, rather than as a system for representing objective reality.