Single Idea 6435

[catalogued under 19. Language / D. Propositions / 4. Mental Propositions]

Full Idea

If you have just heard a loud clap of thunder, you believe what is expressed by 'there has just been a loud clap of thunder' even if no words come into your mind.

Gist of Idea

You can believe the meaning of a sentence without thinking of the words

Source

Bertrand Russell (My Philosophical Development [1959], Ch.13)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'My Philosophical Development' [Routledge 1993], p.114


A Reaction

This seems to me important, and accurate. We should not be too mesmerised by language. Animals have beliefs, and this is a nice example of an undeniable non-linguistic human belief.