# 4.1121 explained — Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

> Chapter companion for Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus by Ludwig Wittgenstein.

## What happens

Wittgenstein distinguishes philosophy from psychology, asserting that the theory of knowledge is the philosophy of psychology. He compares his study of sign-language to traditional philosophical investigations of thought processes, but warns against the danger of becoming entangled in unessential psychological inquiries.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Traditional Philosophy

Wittgenstein criticizes traditional philosophers for confusing logical investigations with psychological ones.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Wittgenstein

The author presenting his views on the relation between philosophy and psychology.

## Key lines

> Psychology is no nearer related to philosophy, than is any other natural science.

Philosophy is no more connected to psychology than to any other empirical science.

_Wittgenstein asserts the autonomy of philosophy from psychology._

> Does not my study of sign-language correspond to the study of thought processes which philosophers held to be so essential to the philosophy of logic?

Isn't my analysis of sign-language similar to the study of thought that philosophers considered crucial for logic?

_Wittgenstein acknowledges a parallel but warns against psychological pitfalls._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se/chapters/4-1121
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se/chapters