Single Idea 18274

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 5. Linguistic Analysis]

Full Idea

Analysis makes the statement more complicated than it was; but it cannot and ought not to make it more complicated than its meaning (Bedeutung) was to begin with. When the statement is as complex as its meaning, then it is completely analysed.

Gist of Idea

Analysis complicates a statement, but only as far as the complexity of its meaning

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Notebooks 1914-1916 [1915], 46e)

Book Reference

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Notebooks 1914-1916 (2nd ed)' [Blackwell 1979], p.46


A Reaction

But how do you assess how complex the 'Bedeutung' was before you started?