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Single Idea 6429

[from 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus' by Ludwig Wittgenstein, in 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 5. Linguistic Analysis ]

Full Idea

Every statement about complexes can be resolved into a statement about their constituents and into the propositions that describe the complexes completely.

Gist of Idea

All complex statements can be resolved into constituents and descriptions

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus [1921], 2.0201)

Book Reference

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Pears)', ed/tr. Pears,D. /McGuinness,B. [RKP 1961], p.7


A Reaction

Russell says this embodies Wittgenstein's belief in analysis. Obviously Wittgenstein is making this claim 'in principle', as life is very short, and people are rather dim. I don't know how to begin evaluating such a claim.