'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.




Monday, May 31, 2010

on certainty 490


490. When I ask “Do I know or do I only believe that I am called…?’ it is no use to looking within myself.

But I could say: not only do I never have the slightest doubt that I am called that, but there is no judgement that I could be certain of if I started doubting that.



you might well assume that you are called 

but how would you know?

that is how would you know what everyone has does or will call you?

and you can call yourself whatever you like – whenever you like

if you are saying there is no judgment that you could be certain of –

if you started doubting that you are called …

all you are saying is that if you were to question this –

you can be certain of nothing

and that I think is a fair point –

if you question – how can you be sure?

and if you don’t question –

or you are not open to question –

it’s not that you are certain –

it is rather that you are stupid


© greg t. charlton. 2010.