more on this theme     |     more from this thinker     |     more from this text


Single Idea 21918

[filed under theme 2. Reason / B. Laws of Thought / 2. Sufficient Reason ]

Full Idea

Schopenhauer said the principle of sufficient reason is not susceptible to proof for the simple reason that it is presupposed in any argument or proof.

Gist of Idea

Sufficient Reason can't be proved, because all proof presupposes it

Source

report of Arthur Schopenhauer (Fourfold Root of Princ of Sufficient Reason [1813], §14 p.32-3) by Peter B. Lewis - Schopenhauer 3

Book Ref

Lewis, Peter B.: 'Schopenhauer' [Reaktion Books 2012], p.73


A Reaction

I would have thought it might be disproved by a counterexample, such as the Gödel sentence of his incompleteness proof, or quantum effects which seem to elude causation. Personally I believe the principle, which I see as the first axiom of philosophy.