Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
5.502 explained
Wittgenstein introduces a shorthand notation for the negation of all values of a propositional variable, replacing a cumbersome expression with the compact form N(ξ̄).
What happens
Wittgenstein introduces a shorthand notation for the negation of all values of a propositional variable, replacing a cumbersome expression with the compact form N(ξ̄).
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- Escalation
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- Closing
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Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Logic and Tautology
The notation N(ξ̄) represents the logical operation of negation applied to all values of a propositional variable, central to the logical structure of propositions.
- Nonsense and Meaning
The simplification of notation underscores the distinction between meaningful logical form and mere symbolic expression.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the Tractatus, introducing notational simplification for logical operations.
Key passages
“Therefore I write instead of “ ( − − − − − T ) ( ξ , . . . . . ) ”, “ N ( ξ ‾ ) ”.”
So I replace the complex expression with the simpler notation N(ξ̄).
Wittgenstein introduces a more efficient notation for the negation of all values of a propositional variable.
“N ( ξ ‾ ) is the negation of all the values of the propositional variable ξ .”
N(ξ̄) denotes the logical negation of every possible value that the propositional variable ξ can take.
Definition of the new notation in terms of logical operation.
