Ideas from 'Knowledge by Acquaintance and Description-1' by Bertrand Russell [1911], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Mysticism and Logic' by Russell,Bertrand [Unwin 1989,0-04-824021-4]].

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8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 2. Need for Universals

21710

We know a universal in 'yellow differs from blue' or 'yellow resembles blue less than green does'

			Full Idea: We are aware of the universal 'yellow'; this universal is the subject in such judgements as 'yellow differs from blue' or 'yellow resembles blue less than green does'.
			From: Bertrand Russell (Knowledge by Acquaintance and Description-1 [1911], 154), quoted by Bernard Linsky - Russell's Metaphysical Logic 2.3
			A reaction: This still seems one of the strongest examples in support of universals. You could hardly be talking about yellow tropes in such instances (even if the world does contain yellow tropes).

12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 4. Sense Data / d. Sense-data problems

8854	My 'acquaintance' with sense-data is nothing like my knowing New York

			Full Idea: My 'acquaintance' with sense-data is nothing like my knowing New York.
			From: comment on Bertrand Russell (Knowledge by Acquaintance and Description-1 [1911]) by Michael Williams - Without Immediate Justification §4
			A reaction: This pinpoints a nice difficulty for Russell. Williams may misrepresent Russell's account of acquaintance, but that is probably because Russell is unclear, or uncertain. The problem is when Russell claims that his acquaintance gives knowledge.