more from Willard Quine

Single Idea 18969

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 4. Belief / e. Belief holism]

Full Idea

Suppose I say that I have given up precisely three beliefs since lunch. An over-coarse individuation could reduce the number to two, and an over-fine one could raise it to four.

Gist of Idea

How do you distinguish three beliefs from four beliefs or two beliefs?

Source

Willard Quine (Propositional Objects [1965], p.144)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Ontological Relativity and Other Essays' [Columbia 1969], p.144


A Reaction

Obviously if you ask how many beliefs I hold, it would be crazy to give a precise answer. But if I search for my cat, I give up my belief that it is in the kitchen, in the lounge and in the bathroom. That's precise enough to be three beliefs, I think.