Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Question
How does Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus develop the theme of Nonsense and Meaning?
Answer
Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by Ludwig Wittgenstein develops Nonsense and Meaning across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
The distinction between meaningful propositions (which picture possible states of affairs) and nonsensical ones (which arise from misuse of language or giving no meaning to signs), including the status of tautologies and contradictions.
The idea of an 'unlogical' world is shown to be nonsensical, as it attempts to say what cannot be coherently thought or expressed.
Wittgenstein distinguishes falsehood from nonsense when a complex does not exist, clarifying the boundaries of meaningful propositions.
The passage directly addresses when a sign becomes meaningless, tying necessity to meaningfulness.
Evidence in the book
- 3.031
The idea of an 'unlogical' world is shown to be nonsensical, as it attempts to say what cannot be coherently thought or expressed.
- 3.24
Wittgenstein distinguishes falsehood from nonsense when a complex does not exist, clarifying the boundaries of meaningful propositions.
- 3.328
The passage directly addresses when a sign becomes meaningless, tying necessity to meaningfulness.
- Essential and Accidental Features of Propositions
The essential features of a proposition are what allow it to express a sense, distinguishing meaningful propositions from nonsense.
- 4.002
Implies that the surface form of language can be misleading, pointing to the distinction between apparent and genuine sense.
- 4.003
Wittgenstein declares most philosophical propositions senseless, not false, due to misunderstanding language's logic.
- 4.026
The requirement that meanings be explained underscores the distinction between meaningful propositions and those that lack sense.
- 4.0312
The idea that logical constants do not represent challenges traditional notions of meaningful representation.
