Graphical problems in Wittgenstein's Nachlaß

Abstract

This paper describes some features of Wittgenstein's Nachlaß which lie on the boundary between text and graphics. These deliberately ambiguous features are introduced as part of Wittgenstein's method of using "text-experiments" comparable to "thought-experiments". These features present problems of interpretation, and therefore of representation, in print or as encoded text for computer-aided analysis because their ambiguity must be maintained. The avoidance of the problem by the use of names is rejected with reference to Wittgenstein's discussion of universals in BLB. The resultant system of encoding graphics for computer-aided analysis at the Wittgenstein Archives is briefly described. Finally, in any representation of the Nachlaß, the need to maintain the integration of graphics and text is emphasised.