The Very Calming Effect of Reading Wittgenstein’s Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

What I've always loved about reading philosophy is how it allows you to trace the movement of thought, the flow from one idea to another, from one argument to another, which sometimes leads to a conclusion that can have a similar liberating effect on the mind as an orgasm can have on the body. Reading philosophy, in some ways, mirrors sexual interaction – sometimes starting gently, with an innocent little question, leading from one premise to another, from one fleeting touch to another; sometimes starting with an existential question, becoming a passionate encounter, until reaching the conclusion, sometimes leading to a meaningful relief, sometimes remaining just an episode. Just as sexual encounters can have a calming effect on the body, so can philosophy have on the mind. This is the case with Wittgenstein’s Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (TLP). It starts with a premise that seems innocent but is, in fact, very strong, very intense, like the touch of fingertips can be when two immune

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• Megan Luong