on certainty 638

25.4

638. “I can’t be making a mistake” is an ordinary sentence, which serves to give me the certainty value of a statement. And only in its everyday use is it justified.

‘I can’t be making a mistake’ –

is an ordinary sentence

and if you are going to say –

an ordinary sentence it is justified – ok

but what then is justification?

it amounts to nothing –

nothing more than everyday use –

and in that case –

the notion of justification –

is redundant and irrelevant –

the issue here is not justification –

the issue is –

are we going to question everyday use?

and the answer is yes –

for it is just what we do –

and in so doing –

we explore uncertainty –

and statements like –

‘I can’t be making a mistake’ –

are revealed for what they are –

ignorant and stupid

© greg t. charlton. 2010.