Logic and sin in the writings of Ludwig Wittgenstein

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Bertrand Russell often recounted a story from Wittgenstein's student days at Cambridge, highlighting his intense contemplation. This study presents the argument that Wittgenstein's philosophical writings inherently possess a religious dimension. Although he frequently framed his discussions on logic and philosophy in ethical and religious terms, his works rarely engage with ethics and religion directly. Consequently, many scholars have dismissed his remarks on these subjects as eccentric or isolated, while others have attempted to construct a coherent religious position from his cryptic comments. Philip R. Shields contends that ethical and religious concerns underpin even Wittgenstein's most technical writings on logic and language. For Wittgenstein, establishing clear limitations is both a logical and ethical imperative. Major texts, from the Tractatus to the Philosophical Investigations, convey their religious essence by illustrating the powers that support and influence us, manifesting in the structures that enable meaningful language use. Shields uncovers a religious worldview at the core of Wittgenstein's philosophy, shedding light on its distinctiveness and revealing greater continuity between his early and later thoughts than typically recognized.