back to idea for this text


Single Idea 21681

[from 'Intro to 2nd ed of Principia Mathematica' by Bertrand Russell, in 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 6. Fundamentals / d. Logical atoms ]

Full Idea

Given all true atomic propositions, together with the fact that they are all, every other true proposition can theoretically be deduced by logical methods.

Gist of Idea

Given all true atomic propositions, in theory every other truth can thereby be deduced

Source

Bertrand Russell (Intro to 2nd ed of Principia Mathematica [1925], p.xv)

Book Reference

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Pears)', ed/tr. Pears,D. /McGuinness,B. [RKP 1961], p.15


A Reaction

This is evidently his strongest statement of the ideal underlying logical atomism. The atoms were initially sense-date, but then became atomic propositions saying an object has a property.