This book attempts to explicate and expand upon Frank Ramsey's notion of the realistic spirit. In so doing, it provides a systematic reading of his work, and demonstrates the extent of Ramsey's genius as evinced by both his responses to the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, and the impact he had on Wittgenstein's later philosophical insights.
"Methven's book is a welcome contribution to the study of Ramsey's philosophy. It contains a wealth of interesting analyses and sheds much light on Ramsey's initial dependence on Wittgenstein's Tractatus and how eventually he got beyond this. Methven's book is probably the most thorough analysis ever published of Ramsey's engagement with the Tractatus." (Paolo Mancosu, Philosophia Mathematica, Vol. 29 (1), February, 2021)
"This book is a welcome contribution to the history of analytic philosophy, a field that has been thriving in recent times. Obviously the author is very knowledgeable in the history of the analytic tradition. The book is written in a clear and concise style ... . It is an excellent contribution to the history of analytic philosophy, and I recommend it to everyone interested in this field." (Günther Eder, Mathematical Reviews, April, 2018)
"This book is a welcome contribution to the history of analytic philosophy, a field that has been thriving in recent times. Obviously the author is very knowledgeable in the history of the analytic tradition. The book is written in a clear and concise style ... . It is an excellent contribution to the history of analytic philosophy, and I recommend it to everyone interested in this field." (Günther Eder, Mathematical Reviews, April, 2018)