Tractatus Logico-PhilosophicusPerhaps the most important work of philosophy written in the twentieth century, Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus was the only philosophical work that Ludwig Wittgenstein published during his lifetime. Written in short, carefully numbered paragraphs of extreme brilliance, it captured the imagination of a generation of philosophers. For Wittgenstein, logic was something we use to conquer a reality which is in itself both elusive and unobtainable. He famously summarized the book in the following words: 'What can be said at all can be said clearly; and what we cannot talk about we must pass over in silence.' David Pears and Brian McGuinness received the highest praise for their meticulous translation. The work is prefaced by Bertrand Russell's original introduction to the first English edition. |
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able according affairs affirm already answer appear applications argument assert atomic becomes believes belongs brackets clear combinations common complex concerned considered consists constituents constructed contains contradiction correct correspond course deal definition depict describe determinate elementary propositions elements essential example existence explained expression fact false follows formal concept Frege function German give given happen identical impossible independent indicate inference introduced kind language limits logical logical form mark mathematical means method natural negation nonsensical notation objects occur operation particular philosophy picture position possible primitive priori probability problem produced properties propositional sign propositions of logic question reality relation represent result rule Russell sense shows signify simple situation Socrates space speak stand structure symbol tautology term theory things thought tions translating true truth truth-function understand values variable whole Wittgenstein write