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Single Idea 3099
[filed under theme 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 1. On Reason
]
Full Idea
Inference is never a conscious process.
Clarification
'Inference' is rational movement from one idea to another
Gist of Idea
Inference is never a conscious process
Source
Gilbert Harman (Thought [1973], 11.2)
Book Ref
Harman,Gilbert: 'Thought' [Princeton 1977], p.179
The
29 ideas
from 'Thought'
6369
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In negative coherence theories, beliefs are prima facie justified, and don't need initial reasons
[Harman, by Pollock/Cruz]
|
3073
|
We see ourselves in the world as a map
[Harman]
|
3074
|
People's reasons for belief are rarely conscious
[Harman]
|
3075
|
Could a cloud have a headache if its particles formed into the right pattern?
[Harman]
|
3076
|
Defining dispositions is circular
[Harman]
|
3077
|
Reasoning might be defined in terms of its functional role, which is to produce knowledge
[Harman]
|
3078
|
Speech acts, communication, representation and truth form a single theory
[Harman]
|
3079
|
Truth in a language is explained by how the structural elements of a sentence contribute to its truth conditions
[Harman]
|
3080
|
Logical form is the part of a sentence structure which involves logical elements
[Harman]
|
3081
|
A theory of truth in a language must involve a theory of logical form
[Harman]
|
3082
|
Ambiguity is when different underlying truth-conditional structures have the same surface form
[Harman]
|
3083
|
Many predicates totally resist translation, so a universal underlying structure to languages is unlikely
[Harman]
|
3084
|
Our underlying predicates represent words in the language, not universal concepts
[Harman]
|
3085
|
Sentences are different from propositions, since two sentences can express one proposition
[Harman]
|
3087
|
The analytic/synthetic distinction is a silly division of thought into encyclopaedia and dictionary
[Harman]
|
3086
|
Are there any meanings apart from in a language?
[Harman]
|
3088
|
Analyticity is postulated because we can't imagine some things being true, but we may just lack imagination
[Harman]
|
3089
|
Only lack of imagination makes us think that 'cats are animals' is analytic
[Harman]
|
3090
|
There is only similarity in meaning, never sameness in meaning
[Harman]
|
3092
|
If you believe that some of your beliefs are false, then at least one of your beliefs IS false
[Harman]
|
3093
|
Any two states are logically linked, by being entailed by their conjunction
[Harman]
|
3094
|
You don't have to accept the conclusion of a valid argument
[Harman]
|
3095
|
Induction is an attempt to increase the coherence of our explanations
[Harman]
|
3096
|
Coherence avoids scepticism, because it doesn't rely on unprovable foundations
[Harman]
|
3098
|
Deductive logic is the only logic there is
[Harman]
|
3097
|
We don't distinguish between accepting, and accepting as evidence
[Harman]
|
3099
|
Inference is never a conscious process
[Harman]
|
3100
|
You have to reaffirm all your beliefs when you make a logical inference
[Harman]
|
3101
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Memories are not just preserved, they are constantly reinferred
[Harman]
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