Connections and Divisions in On Certainty

Abstract

From the 20.000 pages that constitute Wittgenstein’s Nachlass
approximately one fourth has appeared in print. Many of these publications have
involved far-reaching editorial decisions that are barely accounted for. A critical
comparison of the publication On Certainty to its sources
reveals that On Certainty is not a “work” of Wittgenstein but
an arbitrary compilation of material from the Nachlass. In
addition, a critical evaluation of editorial claims as mentioned in Last Writings on the Philosophy of Psychology, Vol. II: The “Inner” and the
“Outer” 1949-1951 shows that Wittgenstein’s concern with epistemology is not
limited to On Certainty. Both points illustrate the
shortcomings of making sharp distinctions in the Nachlass.