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Single Idea 3597

[filed under theme 13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 4. Foundationalism / a. Foundationalism ]

Full Idea

I do not explicitly learn the propositions that stand fast for me. I can discover them subsequently like the axis around which a body rotates.

Gist of Idea

Foundations need not precede other beliefs

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (On Certainty [1951], §152), quoted by Michael Williams - Problems of Knowledge Ch.14

Book Ref

Williams,Michael: 'Problems of Knowledge' [OUP 2001], p.165

A Reaction

A nice metaphor for the way in which axioms are derived. It is also close to Quine's metaphor of the 'net' of understanding, with the centre area 'standing fast'. Not neat and tidy, though.

The 16 ideas with the same theme [claim that knowledge foundations are possible]:

2081 Maybe primary elements can be named, but not receive a rational account [Plato]
24021 The method starts with clear intuitions, followed by a process of deduction [Descartes]
3606 I was searching for reliable rock under the shifting sand [Descartes]
2247 To achieve good science we must rebuild from the foundations [Descartes]
2255 Only one certainty is needed for progress (like a lever's fulcrum) [Descartes]
5033 Nothing should be taken as certain without foundations [Leibniz]
6556 If anything is to be probable, then something must be certain [Lewis,CI]
3597 Foundations need not precede other beliefs [Wittgenstein]
8790 The 'doctrine of the given' is correct; some beliefs or statements are self-justifying [Chisholm]
8841 Modern foundationalists say basic beliefs are fallible, and coherence is relevant [Cleve]
4255 Externalist theories of knowledge are one species of foundationalism [Bonjour]
2752 Foundationalism requires inferential and non-inferential justification [Dancy,J]
2771 Foundationalists must accept not only the basic beliefs, but also rules of inference for further progress [Dancy,J]
8849 Traditional foundationalism is radically internalist [Williams,M]
3753 Foundationalism aims to avoid an infinite regress [Bernecker/Dretske]
19678 Strong foundationalism needs strict inferences; weak version has induction, explanation, probability [Kvanvig]