'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.




Wednesday, December 02, 2009

on certainty 177

177. What I know, I believe.



look all that is required –

is that you say what you have to say –

and others can give their assent –

or they can dissent

‘I know’ and ‘I believe’ – and the like –

are just rhetorical devises

and their function is – at best –

persuasion


© greg t. charlton. 2009.