Assessment of Wittgenstein's Resolution to the Negative Facts

• Main Author: Mahdi Assadi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Tabriz 2016-08-01
• Series: Philosophical Investigations
• Subjects: Wittgenstein; negative facts; nonexistence
• Online Access: http://philosophy.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_5751.html

he essay tries to evaluate Wittgenstein's resolution to the riddle of Russell's negative facts. That is, when we say, for example, "Tehran is not the capital of Ireland" is true, what kind of truth–maker should we consider for the negative proposition because of its truth? Surely, a negative truth–maker is so problematic and counter–intuitive. Therefore, Wittgenstein has tried to show how it can be returned to the positive truth–makers. Thus, the paper first analyzes Wittgenstein's general resolutions to the nonexistent. Then it focuses on his special resolution to the negative facts riddle, i.e. Tractatus 2.05: "The totality of existent atomic facts also determines which atomic facts do not exist". Finally, after refuting some philosophers' criticisms, it shows his resolution's positive points and possible lacks.