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Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

144 pages, 1998

Takeaways
Description

Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (1921) was the only philosophical work published during his lifetime. In short, numbered paragraphs of extreme brilliance, it captured the imagination of a generation of philosophers. 

Logic was something Wittgenstein used to conquer reality, which he saw as both elusive and unobtainable. After stating that "what can be said at all can be said clearly," he famously summarized the book in this way: "What we cannot talk about we must pass over in silence." 

David Pears and Brian McGuinness received high praise for their meticulous translation from German into English."

The World as Facts

In Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, Ludwig Wittgenstein suggests that the world is made up of facts, not things. He argues that our understanding of the world comes from the logical relationships between these facts. So, if you're interested in exploring the nature of reality, this book is a must-read.

Language and Reality

Wittgenstein proposes that language is a picture of reality. He believes that words represent objects in the world, and sentences represent facts. This means that the structure of our language reflects the structure of the world. If you're curious about the connection between language and reality, you should definitely check out this book.

Limits of Language

One of the key takeaways from Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is that there are limits to what can be said meaningfully. Wittgenstein argues that we can only talk about things that can be experienced. Anything beyond that, like metaphysical or ethical questions, are beyond the scope of language. If you're intrigued by the boundaries of language, this book will give you a lot to think about.

Logic and the World

Wittgenstein sees logic as the underlying structure of the world. He believes that the logical structure of facts determines the possibilities of how things can be in the world. If you're interested in the role of logic in understanding the world, you'll find this book fascinating.

Philosophy as Clarification

In Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, Wittgenstein views philosophy not as a theory, but as an activity. He sees the role of philosophy as clarifying our thoughts and eliminating confusion. So, if you're looking for a fresh perspective on philosophy, this book is worth a look.

Quotes 5

Wittgenstein's work has the merit of showing the fly the way out of the bottle.

Bertrand RussellBertrand Russell - Philosophy, Logic, Mathematics

Wittgenstein's Tractatus is a work of profound philosophical significance.

G.E. MooreG.E. Moore - Analytic Philosophy

Wittgenstein's Tractatus is a turning point in the philosophy of logic and language.

Rudolf CarnapRudolf Carnap - Philosophy, Logic

Wittgenstein's Tractatus is a masterpiece of philosophical thought.

Friedrich WaismannFriedrich Waismann - Philosophy, Mathematics

Wittgenstein's Tractatus is a work of genius, a turning point in philosophy.

Frank P. RamseyFrank P. Ramsey - Mathematics, Philosophy
Bertrand RussellG.E. MooreRudolf CarnapFriedrich WaismannFrank P. Ramsey

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