Wittgenstein is one of the most influential philosophers of the twentieth century. His key work Tractatus Logical-Philsophicus has had a profound influence on modern philosophic thought since it was first published in 1921. Yet interpretation of the text is notoriously difficult. Prototractatus is a facsimile reproduction of an early version of Tractatus , only discovered in 1965. It provides clues to understanding Wittgenstein's most famous work. The original text in German has a prallel English translation, and each passage is edited to indicate significant deviations from the final version. This edition of Prototractus is being made newly available after a decade. It has a new preface by B. F. McGuinness and three re-drawn diagrams by Michael Biggs, approved by the Wittgenstein Trustees. This volume is an essential part of any library of modern philosophy.
