'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.




Saturday, June 26, 2010

on certainty 531


531. But now isn’t it correct to describe my present state as follows: I know what this colour is called in English? And if that is correct, why then should I not describe my state with the corresponding words “I know etc.”?



 ‘I know’ –

adds nothing to the assertion

it might give the impression that you have an authority –

above and beyond authorship –

but that is just pretence

and logically irrelevant

the fact is you are just another language user –

you are the author of your statements –

of your usage –

that’s it


© greg t. charlton. 2010.