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Single Idea 6114
[filed under theme 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 6. Fundamentals / d. Logical atoms
]
Full Idea
When I speak of 'simples' I am speaking of something not experienced as such, but known only inferentially as the limits of analysis.
Gist of Idea
'Simples' are not experienced, but are inferred at the limits of analysis
Source
Bertrand Russell (Logical Atomism [1924], p.158)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Russell's Logical Atomism', ed/tr. Pears,David [Fontana 1972], p.158
A Reaction
He claims that the simples are 'known', so he does not mean purely theoretical entities. They have something like the status of quarks in physics, whose existence is inferred from experience.
The
14 ideas
from 'Logical Atomism'
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10968
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Russell gave up logical atomism because of negative, general and belief propositions
[Russell, by Read]
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6107
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It is logic, not metaphysics, that is fundamental to philosophy
[Russell]
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6109
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Some axioms may only become accepted when they lead to obvious conclusions
[Russell]
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6108
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Maths can be deduced from logical axioms and the logic of relations
[Russell]
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6110
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Subject-predicate logic (and substance-attribute metaphysics) arise from Aryan languages
[Russell]
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6111
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As propositions can be put in subject-predicate form, we wrongly infer that facts have substance-quality form
[Russell]
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6112
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Meaning takes many different forms, depending on different logical types
[Russell]
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6113
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To mean facts we assert them; to mean simples we name them
[Russell]
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6114
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'Simples' are not experienced, but are inferred at the limits of analysis
[Russell]
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6116
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A logical language would show up the fallacy of inferring reality from ordinary language
[Russell]
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6115
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Vagueness, and simples being beyond experience, are obstacles to a logical language
[Russell]
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6117
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Philosophy should be built on science, to reduce error
[Russell]
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21722
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Better to construct from what is known, than to infer what is unknown
[Russell]
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6118
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Philosophy is logical analysis, followed by synthesis
[Russell]
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