Single Idea 7084

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 5. Concepts and Language / a. Concepts and language]

Full Idea

In Wittgenstein's view, what can be said is the same as what can be thought; so that once one has grasped the nature of language, one has shown the limit beyond which language and thought become nonsense.

Gist of Idea

What can be said is what can be thought, so language shows the limits of thought

Source

report of Ludwig Wittgenstein (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus [1921]) by A.C. Grayling - Wittgenstein Ch.2

Book Reference

Grayling,A.C.: 'Wittgenstein' [OUP 2001], p.18


A Reaction

I just don't believe that what is thinkable is limited to what is expressible. A lot of philosophy is the struggle to find expression for thoughts which are just beyond the edge of current language. See Idea 6870.

Related Idea

Idea 6870 I say (contrary to Wittgenstein) that philosophy expresses what we thought we must be silent about [Ansell Pearson on Wittgenstein]