# 5.1363 explained — Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

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

## What happens

Wittgenstein argues that the obviousness of a proposition does not justify belief in its truth, challenging the notion that self-evidence can serve as a foundation for knowledge.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Traditional Philosophy

Undermines the traditional reliance on self-evidence as a criterion for truth.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Wittgenstein

Author of the proposition, critiquing the epistemic value of obviousness.

## Key lines

> If from the fact that a proposition is obvious to us it does not follow that it is true, then obviousness is no justification for our belief in its truth.

The mere appearance of obviousness in a statement does not guarantee its truth, so obviousness cannot legitimately support our conviction that the statement is true.

_Wittgenstein rejects obviousness as a valid epistemic justification._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se/chapters/5-1363
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se/chapters