Single Idea 9040

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

Full Idea

I think the Principle of Charity (maximise true beliefs) is unacceptable. The acceptable principle enjoins minimizing the attribution of inexplicable error and cannot be operated without a theory of the causation of belief for the creatures investigated.

Gist of Idea

Charity should minimize inexplicable error, rather than maximising true beliefs

Source

Gareth Evans (The Causal Theory of Names [1973], §I)

Book Reference

Evans,Gareth: 'Collected Papers' [OUP 1985], p.5


A Reaction

The normal principle of charity certainly seems on shaky ground if you think you have encountered a fairly normal tribe, when they in fact are in possession of the weirdest belief system on the entire planet.