# 6.53 explained — Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

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

## What happens

Wittgenstein argues that the only strictly correct method of philosophy is to say nothing beyond the propositions of natural science, and to demonstrate to anyone attempting to speak metaphysically that they have failed to give meaning to certain signs in their propositions. This method, though unsatisfying and not felt as teaching philosophy, is the only correct one.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nonsense and Meaning

The passage directly addresses how metaphysical statements lack meaning because certain signs have not been given a sense, and the correct method is to expose this.

### Limits of Language and Thought

Wittgenstein delineates the boundary of what can be said (propositions of natural science) and what must be passed over in silence, reinforcing the limits of language.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Wittgenstein

Author of the Tractatus; presents the correct method of philosophy as silence on metaphysics and critique of meaningless signs.

## Key lines

> The right method of philosophy would be this: To say nothing except what can be said, i.e. the propositions of natural science, i.e. something that has nothing to do with philosophy: and then always, when someone else wished to say something metaphysical, to demonstrate to him that he had given no meaning to certain signs in his propositions.

The correct philosophical approach is to only state what is expressible—the factual claims of natural science—and whenever someone tries to make a metaphysical statement, to show them that they have not assigned any meaning to some of the symbols they use.

_Wittgenstein prescribes a therapeutic method of philosophy that limits itself to clarifying language and exposing nonsense._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tractatus_logico_philosophicus_se/chapters/6-53
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