# 6.51 explained — Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

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

## What happens

Wittgenstein argues that skepticism is not irrefutable but senseless, because doubt presupposes a question, which in turn presupposes the possibility of an answer and of something meaningful being said.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nonsense and Meaning

Skepticism is deemed 'palpably senseless' because it attempts to doubt where no meaningful question can be asked.

### Limits of Language and Thought

The passage delineates the boundaries of meaningful discourse: doubt, question, and answer are only possible within the limits of what can be said.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Wittgenstein

Author of the argument against skepticism.

## Key lines

> Scepticism is not irrefutable, but palpably senseless, if it would doubt where a question cannot be asked.

Skepticism cannot be disproven, but it is obviously meaningless when it tries to doubt something that cannot even be questioned.

_Wittgenstein rejects skepticism on the grounds that it violates the conditions for meaningful language._

> For doubt can only exist where there is a question; a question only where there is an answer, and this only where something can be said.

Doubt requires a question, a question requires an answer, and an answer requires that something meaningful can be expressed.

_This logical chain ties doubt, question, answer, and meaningful speech together, showing skepticism's senselessness when it steps outside these bounds._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se/chapters/6-51
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se/chapters