Witti-Buch2 2001.qxd - Austrian Ludwig Wittgenstein Society

Paul Smeyers
really honestly about your life & other peoples lives. And the trouble is that
thinking about these things is not thrilling, but often downright nasty. And when
it's nasty then it's most important. (Malcolm, 1984, p. 35)
There are many educational examples where this "working on the self" perspective
might prove useful. For instance, when writing a PhD thesis. It would be a betrayal to her
real interests if the student (as in sport) were not frustrated, comforted but not confronted
with real learning itself. This is at odds with finding the correct answer as suggested by
the technological spirit in education. It is reminiscent of the value of the "pain of learning"
and its counterpart, i.e. "suffering" which Wittgenstein speaks of (CV, p. 81e).
As an antidote against these hectic times, Wittgenstein confronts us with the
question "What is education for?" By doing this he asks us to contemplate what this tells
about oneself. His seriousness and rigour should be an example for anyone who
struggles with her self, or shall we say that one should struggle with oneself. Is it in this
absorption that fulfilment of one's life may finally find its answer? This work on the self
acquires a new dimension when one is distracted, as is the case nowadays for all kind
of reasons, from asking the question "What is important for me?" Being taken over by ...
It reminds us of a contemplative way of being that at times fulfils us with joy-another way
of being absorbed. This being thrown back upon one's own brings life to a standstill,
confronts the subject with herself. In the new aspects that may thus surface, the
empirical-the way we and things are-gets a new dimension, realizing that "the happy life"
lies not so much in duty-and-abstraction, but in dedication-and-resignation. Indeed, this
is how philosophers should salute each other: "Take your time!" (CV, p. 80e)
References
Cavell, S. (1988). In quest of the ordinary: Lines of skepticism and romanticism.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Malcolm, N. (1984). Ludwig Wittgenstein. A memoir with a biographical sketch by G.F.
van Wright. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Nyíri, J.C. (1982). Wittgenstein's later work in relation to conservatism. In B.
McGuinness (Ed.), Wittgenstein and his times (pp. 44-68). Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
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