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Single Idea 13408

[from 'Philosophical Insignificance of A Priori Knowledge' by David Papineau, in 12. Knowledge Sources / E. Direct Knowledge / 2. Intuition ]

Full Idea

Naturalists can allow for thought-experiments in philosophy. Intuitions play an important role, but only because they embody substantial information about the world.

Gist of Idea

Intuition and thought-experiments embody substantial information about the world

Source

David Papineau (Philosophical Insignificance of A Priori Knowledge [2010], §3)


A Reaction

In this sense, intuitions are just memories which are too complex for us to articulate. They are not the intuitions of 'pure reason'. It is hard to connect the intuitive spotting of a proof with memories of the physical world.