'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.




Wednesday, November 05, 2014

Philosophical Grammar 28


28. What constitutes the meaning of a word like “perhaps”?

I know how it is used. The case is similar when someone is explaining to me a calculation “that I don’t quite understand”.

“Now I know how to go on” How do I know that I know how to go on?



‘perhaps’ – point to the fact that one does not know with any certainty

‘I don’t quite understand’ – is different – here there is a question of knowledge

‘Now I know how to go on’ – how do I know that I know?

you don’t – your ‘knowledge’ here is better termed – expectation



© greg t. charlton. 2014.