My propositions are elucidatory in this way: he who understands me finally recognizes them as senseless, when he has climbed out through them, on them, over them. (He must so to speak throw away the ladder, after he has climbed up on it.) (6.54)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Philosophical propositions clarify understanding until they are no longer needed, at which point they should be discarded.
- In plain terms
- Use philosophical ideas to learn then throw them away once understood.
- What can you take from it?
- Philosophical tools are means to understanding, not ends.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When do you discard what you learned?
- How do you know you understand?
Another view
Some may argue ideas retain value beyond initial understanding.
More from Ludwig Wittgenstein
There are, indeed, things that cannot be put into words. They make themselves manifest. They are what is mystical. (6.522)
Permalink to quote #32 Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, daruber muss man schweigen.
Permalink to quote #34 It is not how things are in the world that is mystical, but that it exists. (6.44)
Permalink to quote #31
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