Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
4.1122 explained
Wittgenstein asserts that the Darwinian theory, like any other hypothesis of natural science, is irrelevant to philosophy.
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Wittgenstein asserts that the Darwinian theory, like any other hypothesis of natural science, is irrelevant to philosophy.
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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
- Critique of Traditional Philosophy
Wittgenstein separates philosophy from empirical science, rejecting the idea that scientific theories like Darwinism have philosophical significance.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the proposition distinguishing philosophy from natural science.
Key passages
“The Darwinian theory has no more to do with philosophy than has any other hypothesis of natural science.”
Darwin's theory is just another scientific hypothesis and is not relevant to philosophical inquiry.
Wittgenstein emphasizes the autonomy of philosophy from empirical science.
