more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
It is very difficult to deal with the theory of error without assuming the existence of the non-existent.
Gist of Idea
The theory of error seems to need the existence of the non-existent
Source
Bertrand Russell (The Philosophy of Logical Atomism [1918], §IV.3)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Russell's Logical Atomism', ed/tr. Pears,David [Fontana 1972], p.81
A Reaction
This problem really bothered Russell (and Plato). I suspect that it was a self-inflicted problem because at this point Russell had ceased to believe in propositions. If we accept propositions as intentional objects, they can be as silly as you like.
| 2284 | I make errors because my will extends beyond my understanding [Descartes] |
| 5007 | Most errors of judgement result from an inaccurate perception of the facts [Descartes] |
| 4841 | People make calculation mistakes by misjudging the figures, not calculating them wrongly [Spinoza] |
| 21542 | Do incorrect judgements have non-existent, or mental, or external objects? [Russell] |
| 6443 | Surprise is a criterion of error [Russell] |
| 22306 | To explain false belief we should take belief as relating to a proposition's parts, not to the whole thing [Russell] |
| 6097 | The theory of error seems to need the existence of the non-existent [Russell] |
| 5425 | In order to explain falsehood, a belief must involve several terms, not two [Russell] |
| 23475 | The form of a proposition must show why nonsense is unjudgeable [Wittgenstein] |