Single Idea 6565

[catalogued under 2. Reason / B. Laws of Thought / 3. Non-Contradiction]

Full Idea

People who reject the law of noncontradiction obliterate any significant difference between asserting something and denying it; …this will not move anyone who genuinely opts either for silence or for madness.

Gist of Idea

The law of noncontradiction makes the distinction between asserting something and denying it

Source

Robert Fogelin (Walking the Tightrope of Reason [2003], Ch.1)

Book Reference

Fogelin,Robert: 'Walking the Tightrope of Reason' [OUP 2004], p.37


A Reaction

This seems a sufficiently firm and clear assertion of the basic nature of this law. The only rival view seems to be that of Nietzsche (Idea 4531), but then you wonder how Nietzsche is in a position to assert the relativity of the law.

Related Idea

Idea 4531 Our inability to both affirm and deny a single thing is merely an inability, not a 'necessity' [Nietzsche]