structure for all areas    |     expand these ideas

11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 2. Common Sense Certainty

['Moorean' certainty, that direct experience trumps any argument]

7 ideas
If an argument has an absurd conclusion, we should not assent to the absurdity, but avoid the absurd argument [Sext.Empiricus]
I can prove a hand exists, by holding one up, pointing to it, and saying 'here is one hand' [Moore,GE]
Arguments that my finger does not exist are less certain than your seeing my finger [Moore,GE]
It is silly to say that direct experience must be justified, either by reason, or by more experience [Harré/Madden]
Commitment to 'I have a hand' only makes sense in a context where it has been doubted [Hawthorne]
Moore begs the question, or just offers another view, or uses 'know' wrongly [Pritchard,D, by PG]
'Moorean certainties' are more credible than any sceptical argument [Schaffer,J]