Single Idea 5389

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 1. Empiricism]

Full Idea

The chief importance of knowledge by descriptions is that it enables us to pass beyond the limits of our private experience.

Gist of Idea

Knowledge by descriptions enables us to transcend private experience

Source

Bertrand Russell (Problems of Philosophy [1912], Ch. 5)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.32


A Reaction

The most basic question for empiricism concerns how we can know things beyond immediate experience. Russell is right, though this doesn't tell us much. We need to know the rules for valid descriptions, explanation, speculations etc.