more from Laurence Bonjour

Single Idea 3699

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 4. Foundationalism / f. Foundationalism critique]

Full Idea

The attempt to prove physical statements on the basis of sensory evidence is defeated by the problem of induction.

Gist of Idea

The induction problem blocks any attempted proof of physical statements

Source

Laurence Bonjour (In Defence of Pure Reason [1998], §3.6)

Book Reference

Bonjour,Laurence: 'In Defense of Pure Reason' [CUP 1998], p.84


A Reaction

This sounds like a logician's use of the word 'prove', which would be a pretty forlorn hope. Insofar as experience proves anything, fully sensing a chair proves its existence.