Single Idea 6525

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / C. Knowing Reality / 2. Phenomenalism]

Full Idea

Logical positivist phenomenalism has few supporters these days; ..no one ever seemed clear what the sense-datum equivalent of 'there is a table in the next room' could be.

Gist of Idea

Logical positivists could never give the sense-data equivalent of 'there is a table next door'

Source

comment on A.J. Ayer (Language,Truth and Logic [1936]) by Howard Robinson - Perception IX.4

Book Reference

Robinson,Howard: 'Perception' [Routledge 2001], p.227


A Reaction

But do the critics know what they mean by 'there is a table in the next room'? Does it just mean 'I am hoping there is'? You can't refer to the table in the next room without sticking your ontological neck out - and that is 'best explanation'.