more from Willard Quine

Single Idea 1628

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 1. Physical Objects]

Full Idea

The myth of physical objects is epistemologically superior to most in that it has proved more efficacious than other myths as a device for working a manageable structure into the flux of experience.

Clarification

'Epistemologically superior' means 'better at explaining how our knowledge works'. 'Efficacious' means 'effective'.

Gist of Idea

If physical objects are a myth, they are useful for making sense of experience

Source

Willard Quine (Two Dogmas of Empiricism [1953], p.44)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'From a Logical Point of View' [Harper and Row 1963], p.44