WITTGENSTEIN AND ASPERGER SYNDROME: I. DID WITTGENSTEIN HAVE THIS SYNDROME?

Accession number;03A0539884
Title;WITTGENSTEIN AND ASPERGER SYNDROME: I. DID WITTGENSTEIN HAVE THIS SYNDROME?
Author;ISHISAKA YOSHIKI(Kyotokatsurabyoin Seishinka)   
Journal Title;Japanese Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Journal Code:Z0387B
ISSN:0289-0968
VOL.44;NO.3;PAGE.231-251(2003)
Figure&Table&Reference;TBL.1, REF.78
Pub. Country;Japan
Language;Japanese
Abstract;Studies of the cognitive characteristics of autistic persons are very important for the investigation of the nature and treatment of autism. As one such study, we explored the work of Ludwig Wittgenstein, the noted German philosopher who may have had Asperger syndrome, which condition is now classified as a pervasive developmental disorder, and investigated the features of cognition and thinking that appear in his writings. The study consisted of two parts. The first, reported here, concerned the features of his interpersonal relationships and behavior in everyday life based on three biographies and the reminiscences of contemporaries. On the basis of those features we concluded that he suffered from Asperger syndrome. Wittgenstein is a well-known philosopher, and he greatly influenced the language of philosophy, as well as logical positivism. He therefore was thought to have high intelligence and excellent language skills. His interpersonal relationships were characterized by ego-centricity and a lack of concern or empathy for others as well as a lack of a sense of social interaction. He tended to be detached and isolated from others, but did seek close relationships with a few people, often one person at a time. The conduct of his daily life was dominated by the tendency to be obsessive, stereotypic, and persistent. He was reported to have been clumsy, and his accent and intonation when speaking to have been bizarre. Owing to these behavioral characteristics and his interpersonal relationships, we conclude that he suffered from Asperger syndrome, classification ICD-10. Part two of our study scrutinizes Wittgenstein's writings to determine the characteristics of his cognition and thinking. (author abst.)