Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
3.31 explained
Wittgenstein defines an 'expression' (or symbol) as any part of a proposition that characterizes its sense, including the proposition itself.
What happens
Wittgenstein defines an 'expression' (or symbol) as any part of a proposition that characterizes its sense, including the proposition itself. Expressions are what propositions can share, and they characterize both form and content.
Themes in this chapter
Logical Atomism
The focus on expressions as fundamental units that characterize sense aligns with the atomistic decomposition of propositions into their logical components.
Picture Theory of Language
Expressions are parts of propositions that picture reality by characterizing sense through form and content.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the Tractatus, defining the concept of expression in logical analysis.
Key passages
“Every part of a proposition which characterizes its sense I call an expression (a symbol).”
Any component of a proposition that contributes to its meaning is termed an expression or symbol.
Wittgenstein introduces a technical term for meaningful propositional parts.
“Expressions are everything—essential for the sense of the proposition—that propositions can have in common with one another.”
Expressions encompass all elements that are necessary for a proposition's meaning and that can be shared across different propositions.
Expressions are the common logical currency between propositions.
“An expression characterizes a form and a content.”
An expression specifies both a structural pattern and the particular material that fills it.
Dual role of expressions in determining logical form and specific content.