on certainty 553

553. It is queer: if I say without any special occasion, “I know” – for example, “I know that I am now sitting in a chair”, this statement seems to me to be unjustified and presumptuous. But if I make the same statement where there is some need for it, then although I am not a jot more certain of its truth, it seems to me to be perfectly justified and everyday.

some need for it?

what need would that be I wonder?

would it be a need to pretend you have an authority you don’t have –

in order to t deceive someone –

perhaps even yourself?

that seems to be the idea –

for you are ‘not a jot more certain of its truth’ –

and yet you are prepared to claim –

‘justification’

and who knows you might be right –

pretense and deception –

might just be ‘everyday’?

© greg t. charlton. 2010.