Language and Solitude

Ernest Gellner (1925-1995) has been described as one of the last great central European polymath intellectuals. In this his last book he throws new light on two key figures of the twentieth century: the philosopher Wittgenstein and Malinowski founder of modern British social anthropology. Gellner shows how the thought of both men grew from a common background of assumptions about human nature society and language. He ties together themes that preoccupied him epitomizing his belief that philosophy--far from leaving everything as it is--is about important historical social and personal issues.