Single Idea 21683

[catalogued under 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 6. Fundamentals / d. Logical atoms]

Full Idea

From an elementary proposition no other can be inferred.

Gist of Idea

Nothing can be inferred from an elementary proposition

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus [1921], 5.134)

Book Reference

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Pears)', ed/tr. Pears,D. /McGuinness,B. [RKP 1961], p.109


A Reaction

Russell was not so sure. This is the sort of remark that elicits from me the question that extravagent metaphysics also provokes - 'how on earth does he know what he claims to be true?'.

Related Ideas

Idea 21682 If a proposition is elementary, no other elementary proposition contradicts it [Wittgenstein]

Idea 21684 Atomic facts may be inferrable from others, but never from non-atomic facts [Russell]