Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
4.211 explained
Wittgenstein defines a key characteristic of elementary propositions: they cannot be contradicted by another elementary proposition, establishing their logical independence.
What happens
Wittgenstein defines a key characteristic of elementary propositions: they cannot be contradicted by another elementary proposition, establishing their logical independence.
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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 independence of elementary propositions is a core tenet of logical atomism.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the proposition, defining the nature of elementary propositions.
Key passages
“It is a sign of an elementary proposition, that no elementary proposition can contradict it.”
A defining feature of an elementary proposition is that it cannot be logically contradicted by any other elementary proposition.
Clarifies the logical independence of elementary propositions.
