'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.




Sunday, July 18, 2010

on certainty 556


556. One doesn’t say: he is in a position to believe that.

But one does say: “It is reasonable to assume that in this situation” (or “to believe that”).



all one needs to do is say – that

underwriting your assertion with –

‘it is reasonable to assume that in this situation” (or “to believe that’)’

is to claim or suggest a ground to your assertion –

which is unnecessary – irrelevant – and pretentious

say what you have to say – and be done with it –

it’ll  stands or fall in the marketplace –

of assent and dissent


© greg t. charlton. 2010.