'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.




Sunday, October 11, 2009

on certainty 120


120. But if anyone were to doubt it, how would his doubt come out put in practice? And couldn’t we peacefully leave him to doubt it since it makes no difference at all?



‘how would his doubt come out put in practice?

who’s to say?

the doubt could come out as a philosophical argument –

and lead to an interesting discussion –

a different view of the world –

or a new insight into some state of affairs –

which might in turn –

lead to a new way of doing things

who’s to say?

and will it make any difference at all?

if a doubt is raised –

it will make a difference –

what that is – be it great or small –

will depend on the people involved –

and the circumstances –

in which it is raised


© greg t. charlton. 2009.