Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

by Ludwig Wittgenstein
Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus cover
Good Books rating 4.2
Philosophy
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  • ID: 5363
  • Added: 2025-10-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9781134644650
  • Publisher: Routledge
  • Published: 2013-08-22
  • Formats: 7
  • Reviews: 3

Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is a seminal work in philosophy, composed in a series of numbered propositions that tackle the question of a logically perfect language and its implications for understanding the world. This brilliant and hypnotic tour de force has had a major impact on twentieth-century philosophy and continues to stir the imagination today. Written in a cryptic and rigorous style, the Tractatus pushes the boundaries of language, logic, and philosophy. Wittgenstein's exploration of these themes has made the book a cornerstone of philosophical thought, with its insights remaining relevant and thought-provoking.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-10-23
brilliant 4.10

The book is praised for its brilliance and impact on a generation of philosophers. It is noted for its logical depth and clarity in addressing philosophical questions.

This review highlights the extreme brilliance of the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, emphasizing how it captured the imagination of a generation of philosophers. The book is celebrated for its logical clarity and the profound impact it has had on philosophical thought. The reviewer appreciates the meticulous structure of the work, which is presented in short, carefully numbered paragraphs. They also note that Wittgenstein's approach to logic is both innovative and convincing, making the book a significant contribution to the field of philosophy. The reviewer suggests that the book's influence is still felt today, and it remains a crucial text for anyone interested in the subject.

Quick quotes

    Written in short, carefully numbered paragraphs of extreme brilliance, it captured the imagination of a generation of philosophers.

    For Wittgenstein, logic was the key to understanding the world.

    The Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is a seminal work that has shaped the course of modern philosophy.

The Times Literary Supplement · Jonathan Egid · 2024-02-09
profound 4.50

The review describes the book as a profound and challenging work that has given the reviewer nightmares. It is seen as a bold and influential piece of philosophical writing.

Jonathan Egid shares that Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is the only work of philosophy ever to have given them nightmares, highlighting its profound and challenging nature. They describe it as a bold literary experiment that successfully addresses complex philosophical issues. The reviewer appreciates Wittgenstein's arguments and his critique of Frege and Russell, noting that the book's influence extends beyond its time. They also mention that the book's dense and abstract style can be difficult to grasp, but the effort is rewarding for those who persevere. The reviewer concludes that the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is a work of great significance in the history of philosophy.

Quick quotes

    Ludwig Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (1922) is the only work of philosophy ever to have given me nightmares.

    It was a bold literary experiment, and on the whole it works.

    Wittgenstein was on strong ground when he maintained that Frege and Russell misunderstood the nature of logic.

Imagitude · 2006-12-01
intellectual 4.00

The book is described as a perception-altering treatise that attempts to clarify fundamental philosophical questions. It is noted for its dense and complex style.

This review describes the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus as a perception-altering and densely laid treatise that attempts to clarify not a particular theory but the very foundations of philosophical thought. The reviewer appreciates the book's ambitious scope and its attempt to address fundamental questions about logic and reality. They note that the book's style is complex and challenging, requiring careful reading and reflection. The reviewer also highlights the book's historical significance and its enduring influence on philosophical discourse. They conclude that the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is a work of great intellectual depth and importance, even if it is not always easy to understand.

Quick quotes

    It is a perception-altering, densely laid treatise that attempts to clarify not a particular theory per se, but rather, pulls its focus back to the very foundations of philosophical thought.

    The book's style is complex and challenging, requiring careful reading and reflection.

    The Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus is a work of great intellectual depth and importance.

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