Modality and the <i>Tractatus</i>

It would be hard to deny that there is some modal doctrine in Wittgenstein's Tractatus, for the Tractatus contains the standard semantics for the classical propositional calculus and the standard semantics is modal. Moreover, the work makes serious use of modal concepts, especially that of a possible state of affairs (möglich Sachverhalt). Given the centrality of this notion, it is curious that commentators have so readily ignored the modal aspects of the Tractatus Raymond Bradley's excellent, full-blown study of Wittgenstein's early modalism is, therefore, all the more welcome as a corrective.

Modality and the Tractatus Journal Articles