Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
2.15 explained
Wittgenstein explains that the combination of elements in a picture represents the combination of things in reality.
What happens
Wittgenstein explains that the combination of elements in a picture represents the combination of things in reality. The connection of picture elements is called its structure, and the possibility of that structure is the form of representation.
Themes in this chapter
Picture Theory of Language
This section directly articulates the core of the picture theory, defining structure and form of representation.
Logical Atomism
The notion of elements combining in a definite way reflects the atomic facts and their structure.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the Tractatus, presenting the picture theory of language.
Key passages
“That the elements of the picture are combined with one another in a definite way, represents that the things are so combined with one another.”
The specific arrangement of parts in a picture shows that the corresponding objects in reality are arranged in the same way.
Clarifies the representational relationship between picture elements and real things.
“This connection of the elements of the picture is called its structure, and the possibility of this structure is called the form of representation of the picture.”
The way the parts of a picture are linked is its structure, and the potential for that linking is the picture's form of representation.
Defines key terms 'structure' and 'form of representation'.