# 6.031 explained — Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

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

## What happens

Wittgenstein argues that the theory of classes is unnecessary in mathematics because the generality required in mathematics is essential, not accidental.

## Themes in this chapter

### Logic and Tautology

The rejection of class theory as superfluous aligns with the view that mathematical propositions are tautologies or essential, not contingent on empirical classification.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Wittgenstein

Author of the proposition

## Key lines

> The theory of classes is altogether superfluous in mathematics.

Class theory is entirely unnecessary for mathematics.

_Wittgenstein dismisses the need for class theory in mathematical foundations._

> This is connected with the fact that the generality which we need in mathematics is not the accidental one.

This is because the kind of generality required in mathematics is essential, not contingent.

_Distinguishes mathematical generality from empirical or accidental generality._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se/chapters/6-031
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se/chapters