on certainty 498

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.