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Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter

3.2 explained

Wittgenstein asserts that in propositions, thoughts can be expressed such that the elements of the propositional sign correspond to the objects of the thoughts.

What happens

Wittgenstein asserts that in propositions, thoughts can be expressed such that the elements of the propositional sign correspond to the objects of the thoughts.

Themes in this chapter

  • Picture Theory of Language

    The correspondence between elements of the propositional sign and objects of thought reflects the picture theory.

  • Logical Atomism

    The idea that propositional signs are composed of elements corresponding to simple objects aligns with logical atomism.

Characters to notice

Key passages

  • In propositions thoughts can be so expressed that to the objects of the thoughts correspond the elements of the propositional sign.

    Propositions allow thoughts to be expressed in a way that each part of the written or spoken sentence matches an object in the thought.

    Clarifies the structural correspondence between language and thought.