Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
6.321 explained
Wittgenstein discusses the concept of 'Law of Causality' as a class name, drawing an analogy with mechanics where minimum-laws like the principle of least action exist, and in physics where causal laws take the form of causality.
What happens
Wittgenstein discusses the concept of 'Law of Causality' as a class name, drawing an analogy with mechanics where minimum-laws like the principle of least action exist, and in physics where causal laws take the form of causality.
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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
- Logic and Tautology
The discussion of laws of causality as a class name reflects Wittgenstein's view that such laws are not empirical but rather formal or tautological in nature.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the Tractatus, presenting the idea that the law of causality is a class name and comparing it to minimum-laws in mechanics.
Key passages
““Law of Causality” is a class name.”
The term 'Law of Causality' refers to a category or type of law, not a single specific law.
Wittgenstein emphasizes the general nature of causality as a formal concept.
“And as in mechanics there are, for instance, minimum-laws, such as that of least actions, so in physics there are causal laws, laws of the causality form.”
Just as mechanics includes minimum principles like the principle of least action, physics includes laws that take the form of causality.
Wittgenstein draws an analogy between the structure of mechanical laws and causal laws in physics.
