'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, December 17, 2014

Philosophical Grammar 90


90. How can I expect the event, when it isn’t there at all? – I can imagine a stag that is not there, in this meadow, but not kill one that is not there. – It is not the expected thing that is the fulfillment, but rather its coming about. It is difficult for us to shake off this comparison: a man makes his appearance – an event makes its appearance.



‘How can I expect the event, when it isn’t there at all?’

what is there – in the absence of any proposal – is the unknown

propositions – proposals – make known

my expectation – is just another proposal – another proposition –

open to question – open to doubt – uncertain

‘It is not the expected thing that is the fulfillment, but rather its coming about’?

there is –logically speaking no fulfilment –

if you mean by fulfilment – the absence of doubt

‘It is difficult for us to shake off this comparison: a man makes his appearance – an event makes its appearance.’?

if are to speak correctly of men and events – we are speaking of proposals –
propositions



© greg t. charlton. 2014.