Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
6.1223 explained
Wittgenstein explains why logical truths seem to require postulation: they can be postulated only insofar as we can postulate an adequate notation.
What happens
Wittgenstein explains why logical truths seem to require postulation: they can be postulated only insofar as we can postulate an adequate notation.
Themes in this chapter
Logic and Tautology
Logical truths are tautologies that require only an adequate notation, not substantive postulation.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the Tractatus; explains the nature of logical truths and notation.
Key passages
“It now becomes clear why we often feel as though “logical truths” must be “ postulated ” by us. We can in fact postulate them in so far as we can postulate an adequate notation.”
We now see why logical truths seem to need our stipulation: they can be stipulated only to the extent that we can stipulate a proper symbolic system.
Wittgenstein clarifies that the apparent need to postulate logical truths reduces to the need for a suitable notation.