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Single Idea 8792
[filed under theme 13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 4. Foundationalism / f. Foundationalism critique
]
Full Idea
Observational knowledge of any particular fact, e.g. that this is green, presupposes that one knows general facts of the form 'X is a reliable symptom of Y'.
Gist of Idea
Observations like 'this is green' presuppose truths about what is a reliable symptom of what
Source
Wilfrid Sellars (Does Emp.Knowledge have Foundation? [1956], p.123)
Book Ref
'Epistemology - An Anthology', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Kim,J. [Blackwell 2000], p.123
A Reaction
This is a nicely observed version of the regress problem with justification. I would guess that foundationalists would simply deny that this further knowledge is required; 'this is green' arises out of the experience, but it is not an inference.
The
18 ideas
with the same theme
[criticisms of existence of foundational beliefs]:
16716
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It is heresy to require self-evident foundational principles in order to be certain
[Anon (Par)]
|
2235
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There is no certain supreme principle, or infallible rule of inference
[Hume]
|
5541
|
A sufficient but general sign of truth cannot possibly be provided
[Kant]
|
10486
|
If we are rebuilding our ship at sea, we should jettison some cargo
[Boolos on Neurath]
|
8485
|
We must always rebuild our ship on the open sea; we can't reconstruct it properly in dry-dock
[Neurath]
|
8792
|
Observations like 'this is green' presuppose truths about what is a reliable symptom of what
[Sellars]
|
8802
|
Sensations lack the content to be logical; they cause beliefs, but they cannot justify them
[Davidson]
|
8825
|
It seems impossible to logically deduce physical knowledge from indubitable sense data
[Kim]
|
8799
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If mental states are not propositional, they are logically dumb, and cannot be foundations
[Sosa]
|
8795
|
Mental states cannot be foundational if they are not immune to error
[Sosa]
|
2523
|
That every mammal has a mother is a secure reality, but without foundations
[Dennett]
|
3699
|
The induction problem blocks any attempted proof of physical statements
[Bonjour]
|
2753
|
Beliefs can only be infallible by having almost no content
[Dancy,J]
|
3577
|
Strong justification eliminates error, but also reduces our true beliefs
[Williams,M]
|
3576
|
Foundationalists are torn between adequacy and security
[Williams,M]
|
6363
|
Foundationalism is wrong, because either all beliefs are prima facie justified, or none are
[Pollock/Cruz]
|
3754
|
Infallible sensations can't be foundations if they are non-epistemic
[Bernecker/Dretske]
|
10339
|
Foundations seem utterly private, even from oneself at a later time
[Kusch]
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