Single Idea 23498

[catalogued under 16. Persons / E. Rejecting the Self / 4. Denial of the Self]

Full Idea

Therre is no such thing as the soul - the subject, etc. - as it is conceived in the superficial psychology of the present day. Indeed a composite soul would no longer be a soul.

Gist of Idea

The modern idea of the subjective soul is composite, and impossible

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus [1921], 5.5421)

Book Reference

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Pears)', ed/tr. Pears,D. /McGuinness,B. [RKP 1961], p.54


A Reaction

This seems to endorse Descartes' claim about the essential unity of the mind. I think Hume is in the background of LW's thought. Presumably the psychologist offered a 'composite' view. Prior discussion of belief leads into this remark.