Single Idea 21722

[catalogued under 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 6. Fundamentals / d. Logical atoms]

Full Idea

Whenever possible, substitute constructions out of known entities for inferences to unknown entities.

Gist of Idea

Better to construct from what is known, than to infer what is unknown

Source

Bertrand Russell (Logical Atomism [1924], p.161), quoted by Bernard Linsky - Russell's Metaphysical Logic 7

Book Reference

Linsky,Bernard: 'Russell's Metaphysical Logic' [CSLI 1999], p.110


A Reaction

In 1919 he said that the alternative, of 'postulating' new entities, has 'all the advantages of theft over honest toil' [IMP p.71]. This is Russell's commitment to 'constructing' everything, even his concept of matter. Arithmetic as PA is postulation.

Related Idea

Idea 21706 At first matter is basic and known by sense-data; later Russell says matter is constructed [Russell, by Linsky,B]