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| 5.4 Here it becomes clear that there are no such things as "logical objects" or "logical constants" (in the sense of Frege and Russell). |
| Frank Ramsey meets with him weekly, challenging his ideas. Ludwig: "A good objection helps one forward, a shallow objection, even if it is valid, is wearisome. Ramsey's objections are of this kind."
To bring him into the academic fold, Wittgenstein needs a doctorate, needs a stipend. He applies for a college grant, which many support. Ramsey: "He is a philosophic genius of a different order from anyone else I know." He is hurriedly awarded a Ph.D. for his "thesis," the already published Tractatus. Moore and Russell administer the oral examination in June 1928. Russell: "I have never known anything so absurd in my life." Then, to Moore: "Go on, you've got to ask him some questions, you're the professor." After a short inconclusive discussion of his book, Wittgenstein brings the proceedings to a close by standing and clapping them each on the shoulder. LW: "Don't worry, I know you'll never understand it." With their uncomprehending approval, Wittgenstein receives the Ph.D. and a grant of £100 from Trinity College. He gives his first college lecture on 20 January, 1930, the day after young Frank Ramsey dies. |