more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 6430

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 1. Knowledge]

Full Idea

It seems to me desirable in the theory of knowledge to emphasise the continuity between animal and human minds.

Gist of Idea

In epistemology we should emphasis the continuity between animal and human minds

Source

Bertrand Russell (My Philosophical Development [1959], Ch.11)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'My Philosophical Development' [Routledge 1993], p.95


A Reaction

I strongly agree with this, mainly because it avoids overemphasis on language in epistemology. It doesn't follow that animals know a lot, and there is a good case for saying that they don't actually 'know' anything, despite having true beliefs.