Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
6.3631 explained
Wittgenstein argues that the belief in the simplest course of events is based on psychological inclination, not logical necessity.
What happens
Wittgenstein argues that the belief in the simplest course of events is based on psychological inclination, not logical necessity. There is no rational foundation for assuming that simplicity will prevail in reality.
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Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- 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
- Logic and Tautology
Highlights the distinction between logical necessity and psychological habit in reasoning about events.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the proposition, critiquing the logical basis of induction.
Key passages
“This process, however, has no logical foundation but only a psychological one.”
The reasoning behind expecting the simplest outcome is not based on logic, but on human psychology.
Wittgenstein denies that induction has a logical justification.
“It is clear that there are no grounds for believing that the simplest course of events will really happen.”
There is no rational basis to assume that reality will follow the simplest pattern.
Emphasizes the lack of logical support for the principle of simplicity.
