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Single Idea 16491

[from 'Human Knowledge: its scope and limits' by Bertrand Russell, in 19. Language / F. Communication / 3. Denial ]

Full Idea

We can reintroduce 'not' by a definition: the words 'this is not blue' are defined as expressing disbelief in what is expressed by the words 'this is blue'. In this way the need of 'not' as an indefinable constituent of facts is avoided.

Gist of Idea

If we define 'this is not blue' as disbelief in 'this is blue', we eliminate 'not' as an ingredient of facts

Source

Bertrand Russell (Human Knowledge: its scope and limits [1948], 9)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Human Knowledge' [Routledge 2009], p.114


A Reaction

This is part of Russell's programme of giving a psychological account of logical connectives. See other ideas from his 1940 and 1948 works. He observes that disbelief is a state just as positive as belief. I love it.