on certainty 622

622. But now is it also correct to use “I know” in the contexts which Moore mentioned, at least in particular circumstances. (Indeed, I do not know what “I know I am a human being” means. But even that might be given a sense.)

For each one of these sentences I can imagine circumstances that turn it into a move in one of our language-games, and by that it loses everything that is philosophically astonishing.

‘I know’ is a claim to authority in any context – in any circumstance –

the only authority is authorship and it is unnecessary and irrelevant to assert the authorship of your assertion –

as for ‘I know I am a human being’ –

‘I am a human being’ – is all that is required –

if indeed that is ever required

if you claim an authority beyond authorship –

your game is deception

‘I know’ has no philosophical significance

if it’s a move in a language game –

it’s a rhetorical move

© greg t. charlton. 2010.