Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
6.127 explained
Wittgenstein asserts that all logical propositions are of equal rank, with no distinction between primitive and derived ones.
What happens
Wittgenstein asserts that all logical propositions are of equal rank, with no distinction between primitive and derived ones. Every tautology demonstrates its own tautological nature.
Themes in this chapter
Logic and Tautology
Emphasizes that all logical propositions are tautologies of equal rank, each self-evident.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Wittgenstein
Author of the proposition, presenting the view on logical propositions.
Key passages
“All propositions of logic are of equal rank; there are not some which are essentially primitive and others deduced from there.”
No logical proposition is more fundamental than any other; none are primitive or derived.
Rejects hierarchical views of logical truths.
“Every tautology itself shows that it is a tautology.”
Each tautology is self-evidently tautological without needing external proof.
Tautologies are self-justifying.