170. I believe what people transmit to me in a certain
manner. In this way I believe geographical, chemical, historical facts etc.
That is how I learn the sciences. Of
course learning is based on believing.
If you have learnt that Mont Blanc is 4000 metres high, if
you have looked it up on the map, you say you know it.
And can it now be said: we accord credence in this way
because it has proved to pay?
‘of course learning is based on believing.’ –
belief is uncertain –
and learning –
is an exploration of uncertainty –
‘if you have looked up on a map, you say you know it’ –
what this means
–
is that you accept a supposed authority
‘we accord credence in this way because it has proved to
pay’ –
if something works – it works –
‘according credence’ – saying you believe it –
is to pretend an authority for it –
the supposed authority of belief
is pretence –
unnecessary – irrelevant – and false
say what you have to say –
and spare yourself and others –
the rhetoric
© greg t. charlton. 2010.
