Philosophical Grammar 59

59. For our studies it can never be essential that a symbolic phenomenon occurs in the mind and not on paper.

An explanation of a sign can replace the sign itself – this contrasts with casual explanation.

this will come as quite a surprise –

the ‘mind’ is a proposal – a proposition –

a proposal for what?

well that is the question of philosophy of mind?

the ‘mind’ is proposed – and its proposal is perfectly natural –

but just what that proposal comes down to –

is not at all straightforward –

with this proposal as with any other –

we face question – doubt – uncertainty

so is it essential that a symbolic phenomenon occurs in the mind?

do we need the mind proposal – the mind proposition in relation to a symbolic phenomenon

will its occurrence on paper do the job?

location might be everything in real estate –

but not in propositional logic –

the proposal – however it occurs – wherever for that matter – is not the essential matter

what is important is that what is proposed is understood to be open to question – open to doubt – uncertain

an explanation of a sign is a proposal in relation to that sign – that proposal

a causal explanation is a proposal in relation to an event – a  state of affairs – a proposal

© greg t. charlton. 2014.