# 6.123 explained — Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

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

## What happens

Wittgenstein argues that the laws of logic are not subject to further logical laws, rejecting Russell's notion of a distinct law of contradiction for each logical type, asserting instead that a single law suffices because it does not apply to itself.

## Themes in this chapter

### Logic and Tautology

The passage addresses the nature of logical laws, emphasizing that they are not subject to further logical laws, aligning with the Tractatus view of logic as tautological.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Wittgenstein

Author of the Tractatus, presenting his critique of Russell's theory of logical types.

### Bertrand Russell

Mentioned as the proponent of the view that each logical type requires its own law of contradiction, which Wittgenstein rejects.

## Key lines

> It is clear that the laws of logic cannot themselves obey further logical laws.

Logical laws are autonomous and not governed by any higher logical principles.

_Wittgenstein asserts the self-sufficiency of logical laws._

> (There is not, as Russell supposed, for every “type” a special law of contradiction; but one is sufficient, since it is not applied to itself.)

Contrary to Russell's theory of types, there is no need for multiple distinct laws of contradiction; a single law works because it does not apply to itself.

_Wittgenstein rejects Russell's hierarchical approach to logical laws._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se/chapters/6-123
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