11.4
498. The queer thing is that even though I
find it quite correct for someone to say “Rubbish!” and so brush aside the
attempt to confuse him with doubts at bedrock, – nevertheless I hold it to be
incorrect if he seeks to defend himself (using, e.g., the words “I know”).
‘I know ‘ is a claim to an authority –
the only authority is authorship –
if you claim an authority beyond authorship
–
your claim is false
and to claim authorship of your statements
–
is unnecessary and irrelevant
‘I know is no defence against anything –
it’s only values is rhetorical –
logically speaking –
it is rubbish
© greg t. charlton. 2010.
