Wittgenstein in Swansea: Philosophy and Legacy

Wittgenstein in Swansea:
Philosophy and Legacy

Edited by Alan Sandry

 15 May 2025

£19.99 • PB • 9781837722259

From 1942 to 1947, philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein spent time developing his ideas in Swansea. In this new study, author Alan Sandry uncovers the significance of this time to Wittgenstein’s work and in turn his broad influence on students, academics and a plethora of writers from a wide range of disciplines and interests.

The contributors of this collected volume consider Wittgenstein’s philosophy and legacy from a variety of different perspectives. These include analyses of the Swansea School of Wittgensteinians, as well as explanations and assessments of how Wittgenstein spent his time working in Swansea.

Wittgenstein in Swansea also considers Wittgenstein’s personal life and the relationships he fostered during his time in the city. Sandry and contributors provide philosophical, ideological, and literary evaluations as well as a range of intimate reflections and commentaries on the life and work of Wittgenstein in Swansea.

Contents:

Acknowledgements
Preface
Chapter 1 – Wittgenstein : The Swansea Years, 1942-1947 by Ray Monk
Chapter 2  – The Cultural Milieu of Swansea in the 1930s and 1940s by Jeff Towns
Chapter 3 – The Place of Swansea on the Road to Philosophical Investigations by Jonathan Smith
Chapter 4 – ‘It’s good to be away from Cambridge & to be here, & among friendly people.’ – Wittgenstein’s letters to Ben Richards and his philosophical work in Swansea by Alfred Schmidt
Chapter 5 – The ‘Swansea School’ by Mario von der Ruhr
Chapter 6 – JR Jones and Wittgenstein: Resisting the Demise of the Welsh-language ‘Neighbourhood’ by Huw Williams
Chapter 7 - Wittgenstein, Communitarianism, and Welsh Cultural-Linguistic Identity by Rhianwen Daniel
Chapter 8 - ‘Change and decay in all around I see’: The Wittgenstein School of English at Swansea by M. Wynn Thomas
Chapter 9 – Strange Country: The Cosmopolitan Particularism of Ludwig Wittgenstein and Ralph Ellison by Daniel G. Williams
Chapter 10 - The Psychogeography of Swansea as a Stimulus for Wittgenstein’s Cerebration by Alan Sandry
Chapter 11 – Wittgenstein, Rhees and Philosophy: James Kelman in conversation
Chapter 12 – Family Recollections of Wittgenstein in Swansea by Jamie Bill
Wittgenstein’s Swansea Legacy and Contemporary Relevance: Afterword by Alan Sandry
Bibliography

Wittgenstein’s time in Swansea is also the basis for a new play written, directed and produced by Alan Sandry. From Linz to Langland: Ludwig Wittgenstein will be premièred on 24 October at the Taliesin theatre in Swansea.

Alan Sandry is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy and Strategy at Swansea University.