Single Idea 3971

[catalogued under 19. Language / F. Communication / 6. Interpreting Language / c. Principle of charity]

Full Idea

The 'principle of charity' is a misleading term, since there is no alternative if we want to make sense of the attitudes and actions of the agents around us.

Clarification

The 'principle of charity' says 'assume that most of what other people say is true'

Gist of Idea

There is simply no alternative to the 'principle of charity' in interpreting what others do

Source

Donald Davidson (Davidson on himself [1994], p.233)

Book Reference

'A Companion to the Philosophy of Mind', ed/tr. Guttenplan,Samuel [Blackwell 1995], p.233


A Reaction

I suppose so, but only with a background of evolutionary theory. I would necessarily assume charity if a robot spoke to me.