Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
3.311 explained
Wittgenstein defines an expression as that which presupposes the forms of all propositions in which it can occur, serving as the common characteristic mark of a class of propositions.
What happens
Wittgenstein defines an expression as that which presupposes the forms of all propositions in which it can occur, serving as the common characteristic mark of a class of propositions.
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Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
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Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Logical Atomism
The notion of expressions as presupposing forms aligns with the logical atomist view of propositions as composed of simple elements.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the proposition, defining the nature of expressions in logical syntax.
Key passages
“An expression presupposes the forms of all propositions in which it can occur.”
An expression inherently requires the logical forms of every proposition that can contain it.
Clarifies the dependency of expressions on propositional forms.
“It is the common characteristic mark of a class of propositions.”
An expression serves as the shared feature that defines a set of propositions.
Defines expressions as classifiers of proposition types.
