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Single Idea 21516

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 1. Certainty]

Full Idea

The ultimate ground of the quest for cognitive certainty is the need for security in the results for action.

Gist of Idea

We want certainty in order achieve secure results for action

Source

John Dewey (The Quest for Certainty [1929], p.39), quoted by Erik J. Olsson - Against Coherence 10.5

A Reaction

Just what a pragmatist should say. This may be true within an evolutionary account of human nature, but seems unlikely when doing a sudoku. The 'ground' of the quest may not be the same as its 'source'.

Book Reference

Olsson,Erik J.: 'Against Coherence' [OUP 2008], p.194