Groundless Grounds

Synopsis

An in-depth comparison of Wittgenstein and Heidegger shows how the views of both philosophers emerge from a fundamental attempt to dispense with the transcendent.

Ludwig Wittgenstein and Martin Heidegger are two of the most important-and two of the most difficult-philosophers of the twentieth century, indelibly influencing the course of continental and analytic philosophy, respectively. In Groundless Grounds, Lee Braver argues that the views of both thinkers emerge from a fundamental attempt to create a philosophy that has dispensed with everything transcendent so that we may be satisfied with the human. Examining the central topics of their thought in detail, Braver finds that Wittgenstein and Heidegger construct a philosophy based on originalfinitude-finitude without the contrast of the infinite.

In Braver's elegant analysis, these two difficult bodies of work offer mutual illumination rather than compounded obscurity. Moreover, bringing the most influential thinkers in continental and analytic philosophy into dialogue with each other may enable broader conversations between these two divergent branches of philosophy.

Braver's meticulously researched and strongly argued account shows that both Wittgenstein and Heidegger strive to construct a new conception of reason, free of the illusions of the past and appropriate to the kind of beings that we are. Readers interested in either philosopher, or concerned more generally with the history of twentieth-century philosophy as well as questions of the nature of reason, will find Groundless Grounds of interest.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Problem of Ground

* Discusses the concept of "ground" in philosophy, referring to fundamental beliefs or principles.
* Argues that traditional notions of ground are problematic because they can lead to infinite regress or logical contradictions.
* Example: The attempt to ground knowledge in the principle of non-contradiction can lead to the question of what grounds the principle itself, creating an infinite regress.

Chapter 2: The Groundless Approach

* Introduces the idea of a "groundless" approach to metaphysics.
* Proposes that certain fundamental beliefs or principles are simply ungrounded and should be accepted as such.
* Argues that this approach is more realistic and avoids the problems associated with traditional notions of ground.
* Example: The belief in the existence of the external world is ungrounded and cannot be further justified, but it is still a necessary starting point for knowledge.

Chapter 3: The Role of Faith

* Explores the relationship between faith and groundlessness.
* Argues that faith is a necessary component of human existence and can play a role in shaping our fundamental beliefs.
* Example: The belief in God or the afterlife may be grounded in faith rather than logical proof.

Chapter 4: The Problem of Evil

* Addresses the challenge posed by the problem of evil to the groundless approach.
* Argues that the problem of evil does not undermine the groundlessness of moral principles.
* Example: The existence of suffering does not disprove the existence of a benevolent God, but it may require us to revise our understanding of God's nature.

Chapter 5: The Implications for Knowledge

* Examines the implications of the groundless approach for our understanding of knowledge.
* Argues that knowledge can be justified even if it is not ultimately grounded.
* Example: We can have justified beliefs about the natural world without being able to provide a complete account of why the world is the way it is.

Chapter 6: The Groundless Life

* Explores the practical implications of the groundless approach for human life.
* Argues that the realization of our groundlessness can lead to a more authentic and meaningful existence.
* Example: Embracing the groundlessness of our beliefs can free us from the need for certainty and allow us to live more fully in the present moment.