598. But couldn’t one reply to the question “Can you …” by
saying: “I will describe the case to you and then you can judge for yourself
whether I am mistaken”?
For example, if it were a question of someone’s own name,
the fact might be that he had never used this name, but remembered he had read
it on some document, – but on the other hand the answer might be: “I’ve had
this name my whole life long, I’ve been called it by everyone.” If that is not equivalent to the answer “I
can’t be mistaken” then the latter has no meaning whatever. And yet obviously
it points to a very important distinction.
‘judge for yourself’ –
the basis – the reason
for – judgment –
is uncertainty
and in an uncertain reality –
there are no mistakes –
what we have is – uncertainties
so – any judgment –
will be a response to –
uncertainty –
and any judgment will be –
uncertain
repetitive use – does not entail –
certainty
a use of language – is uncertain –
open to question –
open to doubt –
the first time it is used –
or the five hundredth time
and it is irrelevant –
who the user is
‘I can’t be mistaken’ –
has no logical meaning –
it’s only value –
is rhetorical
© greg t. charlton. 2010.
