Wittgenstein, Leavis, and Literature

WHEN PREPARING Lectures and Conversations on Aesthetics, Psychology and Religious Belief1 I wrote, in all innocence, to Professor F. R. Leavis asking him if, as he had been a friend of Wittgenstein's, he could tell me about Wittgenstein's understanding of literature, his judgment of Wittgenstein's literary merits, and so forth. I got a courteous reply, but the usual answer: Leavis did not interfere in philosophy so why should presume to interfere in literary criticism? Leavis's eccentricity was notorious, but not having met him, I thought this was rather severe, if not downright silly. Having now read his Memories of Wittgenstein I can understand his reply better.2 Perhaps this is a good point at which to start: a direct connection with the most unfavorable judgment on and literature

Art · Philosophy · Wittgensteinian philosophy and applications