The concept of "the mystical" in the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus
Ludwig Wittgenstein's exploration of "the mystical" in his "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus" is a pivotal yet enigmatic aspect of his early philosophy, particularly encapsulated in the work's final propositions. Wittgenstein dedicates the last few sections of the "Tractatus" to delineating the limits of language and logic, arguing that there are aspects of reality which lie beyond the reach of what can be meaningfully said. He introduces the idea of the mystical as that which is ineffable, transcending the boundaries of factual discourse. For Wittgenstein, the mystical is not something that can be captured in propositions; instead, it is what remains when we have exhausted all that can be expressed through language.
In the "Tractatus," Wittgenstein asserts that the world consists entirely of facts, and our language can only picture these facts. Anything that does not fit within this framework, such as ethics, aesthetics, or indeed the mystical, falls outside the scope of what can be spoken about. This leads to his famous conclusion, "Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent" (Proposition 7). Here, the mystical is not denied or dismissed; rather, it is affirmed as something that exists but cannot be articulated through logical propositions. The mystical, therefore, becomes a recognition of the limits of philosophy and language, pointing towards an experience or understanding that transcends logical analysis.
Wittgenstein's approach to the mystical also ties into his view of the world as a limited whole, where the totality of facts constitutes the world, but there is something more, something outside this totality. This "more" is where the mystical resides, suggesting a dimension of reality that is felt or experienced but cannot be reduced to empirical or logical analysis. In this sense, the mystical for Wittgenstein is akin to an inexpressible truth or essence of life, which one might encounter in moments of profound insight or in the face of the sublime, where language fails us, and we are left with a sense of awe or wonder.
Finally, Wittgenstein's treatment of the mystical can be seen as an invitation to a kind of philosophical humility. By acknowledging what lies beyond the grasp of language and logic, he not only sets boundaries for philosophical discourse but also hints at the importance of living within those boundaries. The mystical, in this regard, encourages an appreciation for life's depth that philosophy cannot reach, urging individuals to experience the world beyond mere verbal or conceptual understanding. This aspect of Wittgenstein's philosophy has resonated with many, highlighting a mystical dimension that complements the rigorous logical framework of the "Tractatus," inviting us to embrace the silence at the edge of our expressive capabilities.
To read this yourself, see Tractatus Logico Philosophicus by Ludwig Wittgenstein.
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