more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 5411

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 9. A Priori from Concepts]

Full Idea

The general proposition 'All products of two integers, which never have been and never will be thought of by any human being, are over 100' is undeniably true, and yet we can never give an instance of it; ..only a knowledge of the universals is required.

Clarification

'Integers' are whole numbers

Gist of Idea

We can know some general propositions by universals, when no instance can be given

Source

Bertrand Russell (Problems of Philosophy [1912], Ch.10)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.62


A Reaction

A nice example which it seems to be impossible to contradict. But maybe we can explain our knowledge of it in terms of rules, instead of mentioning universals. Can a rule be stated without recourse to universals? Sounds unlikely.