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Single Idea 2937

[from 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus' by Ludwig Wittgenstein, in 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 1. Philosophy ]

Full Idea

What we cannot speak about we must pass over in silence.

Gist of Idea

What we cannot speak about we must pass over in silence

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus [1921], 7)

Book Reference

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Pears)', ed/tr. Pears,D. /McGuinness,B. [RKP 1961], p.74


A Reaction

This is either a boring truism, or points towards some sort of verificationism (where we can speak meaninglessly). Compare Ideas 7973 and 6870.

Related Ideas

Idea 7973 There is no longer anything on which there is nothing to say [Baudrillard]

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