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Full Idea
Were there no inflexible reality outside of the individual, opposing and limiting it, knowledge of the self and the non-self would never develop.
Gist of Idea
We can only distinguish self from non-self if there is an inflexible external reality
Source
Stephen S. Colvin (The Common-Sense View of Reality [1902], p.140)
Book Ref
-: 'Philosophical Review' [-], p.140
A Reaction
Presumably opponents would have to say that such 'knowledge' is an illusion. This is in no way a conclusive argument, but I approach the problem of realism in quest of the best explanation, and this idea is important evidence.
| 20726 | We can only distinguish self from non-self if there is an inflexible external reality [Colvin] |
| 20727 | Common-sense realism rests on our interests and practical life [Colvin] |
| 20728 | Metaphysics is hopeless with its present epistemology; common-sense realism is needed [Colvin] |
| 20730 | If objects are doubted because their appearances change, that presupposes one object [Colvin] |
| 20729 | Arguments that objects are unknowable or non-existent assume the knower's existence [Colvin] |
| 20731 | The idea that everything is relations is contradictory; relations are part of the concept of things [Colvin] |