This work investigates the core question of how to interpret Ludwig Wittgenstein's private language argument within the broader context of his philosophical methodology. Stephen Mulhall, a scholar of contemporary philosophy, utilizes the specific framework of Stanley Cavell’s interpretations to analyze sections 243-315 of Philosophical Investigations. The text argues that the form and style of Wittgenstein's writing are inseparable from his philosophical method, testing this through a distinction between resolute and substantial understandings of grammar, nonsense, and imagination.

Scholars and students of analytic philosophy frequently cite this text as a rigorous contribution to the ongoing debate regarding Wittgensteinian interpretation. Experts highlight the book's utility in bridging the gap between the early Tractatus and the later Philosophical Investigations through its focus on methodological style.