Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
6.1263 explained
Wittgenstein distinguishes between the logical proof of a significant proposition and proof within logic itself, asserting they are fundamentally different processes.
What happens
Wittgenstein distinguishes between the logical proof of a significant proposition and proof within logic itself, asserting they are fundamentally different processes.
Themes in this chapter
Logic and Tautology
The distinction between logical proofs (tautologies) and proofs of significant propositions is central to this remark.
Nonsense and Meaning
Highlights the difference between meaningful propositions and logical propositions that say nothing about the world.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the Tractatus, presenting the distinction between proofs of significant propositions and logical proofs.
Key passages
“It would be too remarkable, if one could prove a significant proposition logically from another, and a logical proposition also.”
It would be astonishing if a meaningful proposition could be logically derived from another meaningful proposition, and a logical proposition could be derived in the same way.
Wittgenstein emphasizes the fundamental difference between logical and empirical proofs.
“It is clear from the beginning that the logical proof of a significant proposition and the proof in logic must be two quite different things.”
From the outset, it is obvious that proving a factual statement and proving a logical truth are entirely distinct activities.
Reinforces the separation between logical tautologies and meaningful propositions.