Single Idea 20726

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 2. Realism]

Full Idea

Were there no inflexible reality outside of the individual, opposing and limiting it, knowledge of the self and the non-self would never develop.

Gist of Idea

We can only distinguish self from non-self if there is an inflexible external reality

Source

Stephen S. Colvin (The Common-Sense View of Reality [1902], p.140)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophical Review' [-], p.140


A Reaction

Presumably opponents would have to say that such 'knowledge' is an illusion. This is in no way a conclusive argument, but I approach the problem of realism in quest of the best explanation, and this idea is important evidence.