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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.
| 3596 | Total doubt can't even get started [Wittgenstein, by Williams,M] |
| 4721 | If you are not certain of any fact, you cannot be certain of the meaning of your words either [Wittgenstein] |
| 3597 | Foundations need not precede other beliefs [Wittgenstein] |