599. For example one could describe the
certainty of the proposition that water boils at circa 100 degrees C. That isn’t e.g. a proposition I have once
heard (like this or that, which I could mention). I made the experiment myself
at school. The proposition is a very elementary one in our texts-books, which
are to be trusted in matters like this because … – Now one can offer
counter-examples to all this, which show that human beings have held this and
that to be certain which later, according to our opinion, proved false. But the
argument is worthless* To say: in the end we can only adduce such grounds as we hold to be grounds, is to say nothing
at all.
I believe at the bottom of this is a
misunderstanding of the nature of our language-games.
*Marginal
Note. May it not also happen that we believe we
recognize a mistake of earlier times and latter come to the conclusion that the
first opinion was the right one?
etc.
the argument for grounds – is an argument
for justification –
for an authority – beyond that of
authorship –
there is no such authority
from a logical point of view any such claim
–
is false
the only value in any such statement –
is rhetorical –
that is to say the point of such statements is persuasion –
not truth
‘To say: in the end we can only adduce such
grounds as we hold to be grounds, is
to say nothing at all.’
yes – any statement of grounds is really
just a rhetorical underpinning of the proposition
and logically speaking –
rhetoric – amounts to –
‘nothing at all’ –
and yes – if you don’t understand this –
you will not understand the nature of our language games
‘May it not also happen that we believe we
recognize a mistake of earlier times and latter come to the conclusion that the
first opinion was the right one? etc.’
there are no mistakes in an uncertain
reality –
a proposition is a proposal –
open to question –
open to doubt –
uncertain
© greg t. charlton.2010.