on certainty 426

21.3.51

426. But how can we show someone that we know truths, not only about sense data but also about things? For after all it can’t be enough for someone to assure us that he knows.

Well, what must our starting point be if we are to show this?

any claim to know is a claim to an authority for an assertion –

the only authority –

is authorship –

the authorship of a proposition –

is logically irrelevant

so logically speaking –

there is no basis –

to the claim to know

beyond authorship –

any claim to an authority for a proposition –

is rhetorical

and logically speaking –

deceptive

the claim to know sense data –

is rhetorical

the claim to know ‘about things’ –

is rhetorical

the claim to know –

is rhetorical

the only showing is assertion –

your showing can be logical –

or rhetorical

if logical –

it is non-rhetorical –

and if non-rhetorical –

it comes without the claim to know –

or any other –

assurance –

and is open to question –

open to doubt –

uncertain

© greg t. charlton. 2010.