Question

Ludwig Wittgenstein was no doubt a fascinating genius who was also very mysterious. He was known for doing outrageous things that no one saw coming, and there is one episode in particular that I find really baffling, which is his decision to go live in Russia (actually USSR at that point in time).

There are several explanations / theories as to what motivated him:

He was influenced by Oswald Spengler. In his late 30s Wittgenstein discovered Oswald Spengler, and was very impressed by this philosophical historian. Spengler thought that the western civilization (Europe and the anglo-saxon America) is in it's dying stage and Russia will be the next great civilization.
His spartan lifestyle. He lived a monk like existence much of his life, and it seems he thought living in Russia would rid him of bourgeois comfort he despised so much.
A couple of Russian journalists have investigated the details of his visit to Moscow and came to a conspiracy conclusion that he was somehow involved with the famous Cambridge 5 spy network. The evidence is minimal, but while in Moscow he did meet with several people working for the intelligence services.

I don't find any of the above fully convincing. Do you?

Answer 1

Wittgenstein's motivations for living in the USSR are debated, with suggested influences ranging from Spengler's philosophy to a disdain for bourgeois lifestyle. His deep religious contemplations and the complex Russian intellectual and political climate may have also shaped his decision.

Step-by-step explanation:

The motivations behind Ludwig Wittgenstein's decision to live in the USSR are complex and subject to varied interpretations. While theories suggest influences like Oswald Spengler's views, rejection of bourgeois comforts, or even a connection with the Cambridge 5 spy network, these explanations remain contested and not wholly convincing.

Wittgenstein's profound interest in religious thought despite his non-practicing Catholic status, along with his contemplative nature that led him to seek a spartan lifestyle, may have influenced his move. Additionally, the intellectual climate in Russia which often equated intellectuals to criminals, the immense historical changes during the revolutionary period, and the impactful figures like Lenin and Stalin who defied simple characterization, may have provided a fertile intellectual environment for Wittgenstein's enigmatic personality.