584. Would it be possible to make use of the verb “know”
only in the question “How do you know?” following a simple assertion? – Instead
of “I already know that” one says ‘I am familiar with that”; and this follows
only upon being told the fact. But* what does one say instead of “I know what
that is’?
*The last sentence is
a latter addition. (Eds.)
following a simple assertion –
the logical response –
is affirmation or denial
if you wish to question the assertion made –
you can always ask – ‘do you think so?’ –
or ‘why do you think that?’
and yes –
you can listen to the other’s ‘argument’ –
their rhetoric –
and you can put your own argument –
your own rhetoric –
but at the end of this – as at the beginning –
what you have is an assertion –
that you either affirm or deny –
it’s as basic as that
you may want the matter –
to be more complex than this –
but it’s not –
and yes –
all involved can pretend
–
with their rhetoric –
that it is more complex –
but it’s not –
rhetoric – persuasion –
at best is irrelevant –
at worst – it corrupts –
all rhetoric runs on –
the argument from authority –
the only authority –
is authorship –
and the authorship of a proposition –
is logically irrelevant
any other claim to an authority –
is false and deceptive
if people stuck to simple propositions –
and simple – yea or nay – responses –
their dealings with each other –
would be straightforward –
elegant –
and honest
and it is worth realizing here –
that at no point –
does the question of ‘knowledge’ arise –
it’s a rhetorical issue –
it’s not in the logical picture
‘I am familiar with that’ –
is OK –
it’s an affirmation –
and ‘familiarity’ –
indicates uncertainty –
rather than certainty
nevertheless I prefer –
‘yes’
instead of ‘I know what that is’ –
one says –
‘that is’
© greg t. charlton. 2010.