Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Parmenides', 'Hobbes' and 'On the Plurality of Worlds'

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2 ideas

13. Knowledge Criteria / C. External Justification / 2. Causal Justification
General causal theories of knowledge are refuted by mathematics [Lewis]
     Full Idea: Causal accounts of knowledge are all very well in their place, but if they are put forward as general theories, then mathematics refutes them.
     From: David Lewis (On the Plurality of Worlds [1986], 2.4)
     A reaction: You might have some sort of notion of an abstraction from causation which mimicked it in the mathematics case. Lots of things seem to be 'forced' in mathematics. Call it 'ersatz causation'. Necessities are enforcers.
13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 1. Scepticism
Without confidence in our beliefs, how should we actually live? [Tuck]
     Full Idea: The central question for sceptics is if we lose confidence in the truth of most existing beliefs, then how do we actually live?
     From: Richard Tuck (Hobbes [1989], Ch.4)
     A reaction: Scepticism is not, of course, all or nothing. You can lead a 'normal' life in a virtual reality machine. I find it much more of a struggle to live if I lose faith in values, than if I lose faith in tables.