'For the person or persons that hold dominion, can no more combine with the keeping up of majesty the running with harlots drunk or naked about the streets, or the performances of a stage player, or the open violation or contempt of laws passed by themselves than they can combine existence with non-existence'.

- Benedict de Spinoza. Political Treatise. 1677.




Monday, September 06, 2010

on certainty 645


645. I can’t be making a mistake, – but some day, rightly or wrongly, I may think that I was not competent to judge. 



it is not a question of competence –

neat trick on Wittgenstein’s part here –

to float the idea –

that doubt is a matter of incompetence

sorry to disappoint –

but the issue of uncertainty – is not subjective

a proposition is a proposal

whether you are competent or not –

a proposal  is by its nature uncertain

however recognizing this –

does require a minimal level –

of competence


© greg t. charlton. 2010.