Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus · Chapter
Endnotes explained
The endnotes provide a brief explanation of the decimal numbering system used in the Tractatus, indicating the logical hierarchy and commentary structure of the propositions, along with a note by Bertrand Russell clarifying a point about th
What happens
The endnotes provide a brief explanation of the decimal numbering system used in the Tractatus, indicating the logical hierarchy and commentary structure of the propositions, along with a note by Bertrand Russell clarifying a point about the form of laws.
Characters to notice
- Bertrand Russell
Russell is referenced in the endnotes as the author of a clarifying note about the form of laws.
Key passages
“The decimal figures as numbers of the separate propositions indicate the logical importance of the propositions, the emphasis laid upon them in my exposition.”
The decimal numbering of propositions shows their logical weight and the emphasis I place on them in my explanation.
Explains the purpose of the decimal numbering system.
“The propositions n .1, n .2, n .3, etc. , are comments on proposition No. n ; the propositions n . m 1, n . m 2, etc. , are comments on the proposition No. n . m ; and so on.”
Propositions with one decimal place comment on the main proposition, and those with two decimal places comment on the proposition with one decimal place, continuing in this pattern.
Describes the hierarchical commenting structure.
“I.e. not the form of one particular law, but of any law of a certain sort. — B. R.”
That is, it refers not to the form of a specific law, but to the form of any law of a given type.
Russell's clarification about the generality of the form of laws.