Single Idea 7554

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 2. Self-Evidence]

Full Idea

Self-evidence is often a mere will-o'-the-wisp, which is sure to lead us astray if we take it as our guide.

Clarification

A 'will-o'-the-wisp' deceives you and leads you astray

Gist of Idea

Self-evidence is often a mere will-o'-the-wisp

Source

Bertrand Russell (Mathematics and the Metaphysicians [1901], p.78)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Mysticism and Logic' [Unwin 1989], p.78


A Reaction

The sort of nice crisp remark you would expect from a good empiricist philosopher. Compare Idea 4948. However Russell qualifies it with the word 'often', and all philosophers eventually realise that you have to start somewhere.

Related Idea

Idea 4948 Intuition is the strongest possible evidence one can have about anything [Kripke]