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Single Idea 8184

[from 'Thought and Reality' by Michael Dummett, in 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 2. Realism ]

Full Idea

The philosopher's task is not to make a prior commitment for or against realism, but to discover how far realist considerations must be invoked in order to describe our understanding of our language: they may be invoked only if they must be invoked.

Gist of Idea

Philosophers should not presume reality, but only invoke it when language requires it

Source

Michael Dummett (Thought and Reality [1997], 6)

Book Reference

Dummett,Michael: 'Thought and Reality (Gifford Lectures)' [OUP 2006], p.79


A Reaction

I don't see why the default position should be solipsism, or a commitment to Ockham's Razor. This is the Cartesian 'Enlightenment Project' approach to philosophy - that everything has to be proved. There is more to ontology than language.