Metaphysical subject and empirical subject: the presence of Schopenhauer in Wittgenstein’s philosophy

Abstract

The presence of other philosophers in Wittgenstein’s philosophical activity has always been very discreet. The philosopher avoided mentioning several times the possible sources that inspired him. Nevertheless, this article aspires to ascertain the influence that Schopenhauer’s thought exerted on Wittgenstein’s philosophy, specifically regarding the distinction between the metaphysical subject and the empirical subject. We intend to demonstrate that, as a result of the Schopenhaurean influx, both empirical realism and transcendental solipsism find shelter in the tractarian bulge, which makes it possible to ascertain the existence of an ethical subject in Wittgensteinian thought because of the latter – transcendental solipsism.