Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
4.31 explained
Wittgenstein introduces schematic representations of truth-possibilities for elementary propositions, using 'T' for true and 'F' for false, and illustrates with examples for one, two, and three propositions.
What happens
Wittgenstein introduces schematic representations of truth-possibilities for elementary propositions, using 'T' for true and 'F' for false, and illustrates with examples for one, two, and three propositions.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This passage marks the story’s dramatic climax because it presents the moment when the protagonist’s obsessive…
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Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Logical Atomism
The schemata illustrate how complex propositions are built from elementary propositions and their truth-possibilities.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the Tractatus, presenting truth-possibility schemata.
Key passages
“The truth-possibilities can be presented by schemata of the following kind (“T” means “true,” “F” “false.” The rows of T’s and F’s under the row of the elementary propositions mean their truth-possibilities in an easily intelligible symbolism).”
Truth-possibilities can be displayed using tables where 'T' and 'F' indicate true and false, and each row under the elementary propositions represents a possible combination of truth values.
Wittgenstein describes a method for systematically representing all possible truth assignments to elementary propositions.
