on certainty 481

481. When one hears Moore say “I know that that’s a tree “, one suddenly understands those who think that that has by no means been settled.

The matter strikes one all at once as being unclear and blurred. It is as if Moore had put it in the wrong light.

It is as if I were to see a painting (say pained stage-set) and recognize what it represents from a long way off at once and without the slightest doubt. But now I step nearer: and then I see a lot of patches of different colours, which are all highly ambiguous and do not provide any certainty whatever.

when Moore says ‘I know that that’s a tree’ –

the ‘I know’ functions as a claim of authority for ‘that’s a tree’

what you have here is Moore’s assertion of his authority –

his assertion does not establish his authority –

and there is no attempt by Moore to establish his authority –

so what is unclear is Moore’s claim to authority –

why he makes it at all and what it is supposed to mean –

it comes across as an irrelevant pomposity

the example of seeing something from different perspectives –

is no argument against Moore’s use of ‘I know’ –

for Moore could say ‘I know’ whatever the perspective

what this example does illustrate is –

that we are always  in a position of uncertainty –

regarding the object of perception

© greg t. charlton. 2010.