RT Journal Article
T1 Meaning of life and nonsense in Tractatus: no answer for no question and some fictional illuminations
A1 Gamero Cabrera, Isabel Gloria
AB In this paper I clarify Wittgenstein’s position on meaning of life as exposed in Tractatus, and the related questions about the nonsensical and the ineffable. The problem is as follows: if there is a question that cannot be expressed, does it mean that there is no answer to it or rather that the answers are nonsensical? In order to address this issue, I develop my arguments in three parts: in the first step, I explain Wittgenstein’s thesis about the meaning of life as exposed in Tractatus, with an especial emphasis on the notions of nonsense and ineffability. In the second one, I go beyond Wittgenstein’s explanation in the Tractatus and refer to its two possible interpretations: the resolute and the illuminating ones, evaluating their plausibility and accuracy. Lastly, I provide some fictional examples in order to illustrate my explanation and to show, indirectly, what according to Wittgenstein cannot be said.
PB Waseda University (Japan)
SN 2185-4505
YR 2019
FD 2019
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/109378
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/109378
LA eng
NO Gamero, I. G.(2019): “Meaning of life and nonsense in Tractatus: no answer for no question and some fictional illuminations”, Journal of Philosophy of Life, 9(1), pp. 33-53.
NO Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 6 abr 2025