Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
2.013 explained
Every thing exists within a space of possible atomic facts; the space can be conceived as empty, but the thing cannot be conceived without its space of possibilities.
What happens
Every thing exists within a space of possible atomic facts; the space can be conceived as empty, but the thing cannot be conceived without its space of possibilities.
Themes in this chapter
Logical Atomism
The thing is inseparable from the space of possible atomic facts, illustrating the atomic structure of reality.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the Tractatus, presenting the logical structure of objects and states of affairs.
Key passages
“Every thing is, as it were, in a space of possible atomic facts. I can think of this space as empty, but not of the thing without the space.”
Each object exists within a realm of possible atomic configurations; we can imagine that realm devoid of objects, but we cannot conceive of an object apart from its inherent possibilities.
Highlights the necessary connection between an object and its possible combinations in atomic facts.