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It is an hypothesis that the sun will rise tomorrow: and this means that we do not know whether it will rise.
Ludwig Wittgenstein
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote highlights the uncertainty inherent in all predictions, even those we consider certain, like the sun rising.

Ludwig Wittgenstein's quote invites us to reflect on the nature of knowledge and belief. Even something as seemingly certain as the sun rising has an element of uncertainty; we operate under a hypothesis that it will rise again tomorrow, yet we cannot claim absolute knowledge. This perspective encourages humility in our claims to know the future and acknowledges the limitations of human understanding.

Themes

UncertaintyKnowledgeHypothesisPhilosophyTruth

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the nature of knowledge, one might reference Wittgenstein's quote to illustrate the limits of certainty.

More from Ludwig Wittgenstein

If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world.
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No one likes having offended another person; hence everyone feels so much better if the other person doesn't show he's been offended. Nobody likes being confronted by a wounded spaniel. Remember that. It is much easier patiently - and tolerantly - to avoid the person you have injured than to approach him as a friend. You need courage for that.
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It's impossible for me to say one word about all that music has meant to me in my life. How, then, can I hope to be understood?
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Nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself.
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My day passes between logic, whistling, going for walks, and being depressed. I wish to God that I were more intelligent and everything would finally become clear to me - or else that I needn't live much longer.
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