# 5.1361 explained — Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

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

## What happens

Wittgenstein argues that future events cannot be logically deduced from present ones, and identifies superstition as the erroneous belief in a necessary causal connection.

## Themes in this chapter

### Logic and Tautology

The proposition emphasizes that causal inference is not a logical necessity, aligning with the view that only tautologies are certain.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Wittgenstein

Author of the proposition, presenting a critique of causal inference and superstition.

## Key lines

> The events of the future cannot be inferred from those of the present.

No logical deduction can derive what will happen from what is happening now.

_Highlights the limits of inductive reasoning._

> Superstition is the belief in the causal nexus.

Believing in a necessary causal link between events is a form of superstition.

_Equates causal necessity with irrational belief._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se/chapters/5-1361
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se/chapters