Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
Formal Concepts and Proper Concepts explained
Wittgenstein distinguishes formal concepts from proper concepts, arguing that formal concepts cannot be expressed by propositions but are shown in the symbols themselves.
What happens
Wittgenstein distinguishes formal concepts from proper concepts, arguing that formal concepts cannot be expressed by propositions but are shown in the symbols themselves. He introduces the term 'formal concept' to clarify the confusion in traditional logic, and explains that formal properties are features of symbols, not functions.
Themes in this chapter
Limits of Language and Thought
Formal concepts cannot be expressed in propositions; they are shown in symbols, highlighting the limits of what can be said.
Logical Atomism
The distinction between formal and proper concepts aligns with the atomistic view that logical structure is shown, not stated.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Introduces the notion of formal concepts and contrasts them with proper concepts, critiquing traditional logic.
Key passages
“That anything falls under a formal concept as an object belonging to it, cannot be expressed by a proposition. But it is shown in the symbol for the object itself.”
Whether something is a formal concept cannot be said in words; it is revealed by the symbol used to represent it.
Wittgenstein emphasizes the showing/saying distinction for formal concepts.
“Formal concepts, cannot, like proper concepts, be presented by a function. For their characteristics, the formal properties, are not expressed by the functions.”
Unlike ordinary concepts, formal concepts cannot be represented by functions because their features are not expressed but shown.
This clarifies the unique nature of formal concepts in Wittgenstein's logical framework.