This introduction considers the philosophical and literary aspects of Wittgenstein's 'Tractatus' and shows how they are related.

Alfred Nordmann is Professor of Philosophy at Technische Universität Darmstadt. He has translated and edited works by Wittgenstein and is president of the Lichtenberg Society.

Introduction: Wittgenstein's provocation; 1. Critical philosophy; 2. The argument; 3. Thought experiments; 4. Tense and mood; 5. The senses of sense; Conclusion: a sense of familiarity.