Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-m9kch Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-17T22:38:35.168Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 8 - Arithmetic in the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 March 2024

José L. Zalabardo
Affiliation:
University College London
Get access

Summary

This chapter discusses Wittgenstein’s remarks on mathematics in sections 6.02–6.031 and 6.2–6.241. These remarks are limited to arithmetic, with definitions of the natural numbers (6.02) and of multiplication (6.241). In the first part, we discuss Wittgenstein’s criticism of the theory of types involved in Russell’s rival ‘logicist’ account, with specific criticisms of Russell’s axioms of infinity (5.535) and reducibility (6.1232). The second part presents Wittgenstein’s positive account of natural numbers in terms of ‘repeated applications of an operation’ (based on his remarks on operations at 5.2–5.254) and of arithmetical calculations. Limited parallels with the lambda calculus are brought to the fore, while explanations that presuppose a scheme of primitive recursion are criticized. The third section discusses related philosophical remarks about the centrality of the ‘method of substitution’ (6.24), arithmetical equations as ‘pseudo-propositions’ (6.241 & 6.2), and the claim that the identity of the two sides of an equation is merely perceived, not assertable (6.2322). Looking ahead, the fourth and final part discusses briefly Wittgenstein’s reasons for abandoning this approach in the early ‘middle period’.

Type
Chapter
Information
Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus
A Critical Guide
, pp. 145 - 165
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×