588. But don’t I use the words “I know
that…” to say that I am in a certain state, whereas the mere assertion “that is a…” does not say this? And yet one
often does reply to such an assertion by asking “how do you know?” – “But
surely, only because the fact that I assert this gives to understand that I
think I know it”. – This point could be made in the following way: In a zoo
there might be a sign “this is a zebra”; but never “I know that this a zebra””.
“I know” has meaning only when it is
uttered by a person. But, given that, it is a matter of indifference whether
what is uttered is “I know…” or “That is…”.
‘a matter of indifference’?
from a logical point of view ‘I know’ is
irrelevant
however the value of ‘I know’ is not
logical –
but rhetorical –
and that is not a matter of indifference –
for ‘I know’ is used to pretend authority –
and hence to deceive
© greg t. charlton. 2010.