Single Idea 7405

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

Full Idea

Experience concludeth nothing universally.

Gist of Idea

Experience can't prove universal truths

Source

Thomas Hobbes (The Elements of Law [1640], I.4.10), quoted by Richard Tuck - Hobbes Ch.2

Book Reference

Tuck,Richard: 'Hobbes: a very short introduction' [OUP 2002], p.59


A Reaction

Empiricists seem proud to claim this limitation on human understanding, where rationalists like Leibniz use it as an argument against empiricism. Kripke says (e.g. Idea 4966) they are both wrong! I sympathise with Kripke.

Related Idea

Idea 4966 Theoretical identities are between rigid designators, and so are necessary a posteriori [Kripke]