Project:70 Years of Editing Wittgenstein

The 7th Symposium of the International Ludwig Wittgenstein Society

Unversità degli Studi di Milano, 7–8 October 2022

70 Years of Editing Wittgenstein

History, Challenges and Possibilities

As is well known, Wittgenstein published only one philosophical book during his lifetime, the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus. Since his death in 1951, numerous writings have been published posthumously by his trustees – with more or less editorial modifications, depending on the condition of the manuscripts and typescripts. In Wittgenstein scholarship, this has repeatedly given rise to discussion, criticism and, in some cases, new (also digital) editions, translations and collections. Now, 70 years after Wittgenstein’s death, his writings enter the public domain in many countries, which will significantly affect the way they can be accessed and dealt with.

On behalf of the International Ludwig Wittgenstein Society, we would like to take the passing of these 70 years as an opportunity to reflect on the philological and editorial work on and with Wittgenstein’s writings. More concretely, the aim of the conference is to link philosophical, philological and editorial aspects and questions and to discuss how the editorial decisions of the last 70 years have shaped the reception of Wittgenstein and what problems and opportunities might arise from this for the future, especially concerning digital editions of Wittgenstein’s Nachlass. Within the framework of the three panels “History”, “Challenges” and “Possibilities”, there will be individual lectures devoted to editorial-philological problems in the past, stylistic peculiarities in the editing and translation of Wittgenstein’s writings and new forms of presentation through digital formats.

In addition, new perspectives for broader digital access to Wittgenstein’s works will be developed in a workshop centered on the Ludwig Wittgenstein Project.

Where and when

Università degli Studi di Milano, via Festa del Perdono 7, 20122 Milano. Aula Crociera Alta di Studi Umanistici. Google Maps

7 October 2022 (09:00-18:00)

8 October 2022 (09:45-12:00)

The talks will be in English. All are welcome to attend.

Keynote speakers

Prof. Alois Pichler (Curator of the Wittgenstein Archives Bergen, University of Bergen)

Dr. Ilse Somavilla (Brenner Archive Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck)

Prof. David Stern (University of Iowa)

Dr. Moira de Iaco (editor of letters between Wittgenstein and Sraffa, University of Baro Alto)

Dr. Yrsa Neuman (Åbo Akademi University)

Peter Winslow (translator of Wittgenstein’s family letters, ed. by Brian McGuinness)

Michele Lavazza (Coordinator of the Ludwig Wittgenstein Project)

Scientific organizers

Frederic Kettelhoit (University of Kassel) and Dr. Jasmin Trächtler (Technical University of Dortmund)

Organised by

Hosted by

Dipartimento di Filosofia, Università degli Studi di Milano

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