Single Idea 23356

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 2. Self-Evidence]

Full Idea

It is about the strongest proof one could offer of a proposition being evident, that even he who contradicts it finds himself having to make use of it.

Gist of Idea

Self-evidence is most obvious when people who deny a proposition still have to use it

Source

Epictetus (The Discourses [c.56], 2.20.01)

Book Reference

Epictetus: 'The Discourses, The Handbook, Fragments', ed/tr. Gill,C [Everyman 1995], p.126


A Reaction

Philosophers sometimes make fools of themselves by trying, by the use of elaborate sophistry, to demolish propositions which are self-evidently true. Don't be one of these philosophers!