23.3.51
429.
What reason have I, now, when I cannot see my toes, to assume that I
have five toes on each foot?
Is it right to say that my reason is that
previous experience has always taught me so? Am I more certain of previous
experience than that I have ten toes?
That previous experience may very well be
the cause of my present certitude;
but is it its ground?
the assumption of five toes on each foot –
is like any assumption –
open to question –
open to doubt
what reason do I have for making the
assumption?
who’s to say?
likely you find the assumption appropriate
–
for a whole lot of reasons
if you think that previous experience has
taught you so –
that may well be your ‘reason’
if you are certain about this assumption –
all that means is that you haven’t thought
about it –
you are on this matter operating in
ignorance
and if by ‘ground’ here is meant certainty –
there is no ground
© greg t. charlton. 2010.
