'For the person or persons that hold dominion, can no more combine with the keeping up of majesty the running with harlots drunk or naked about the streets, or the performances of a stage player, or the open violation or contempt of laws passed by themselves than they can combine existence with non-existence'.

- Benedict de Spinoza. Political Treatise. 1677.




Monday, October 05, 2009

on certainty 114


114. If you’re not certain of any fact, you cannot be certain of the meaning of your words either.



this is quite true

however this does not mean that we cannot operate with ‘facts’ –

uncertain as they are –

we do

or that we cannot use words –

uncertain as their meaning is –

we do –

and I would say too –

that the uncertainty of facts –

and the uncertainty of the meaning of words –

is the real source –

of their utility


© greg t. charlton. 2009.