Single Idea 9671

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 10. Vagueness / d. Vagueness as linguistic]

Full Idea

Say that France is hexagonal, and you thereby set the standards of precision low, and you speak the truth; say that France is not hexagonal (preferably on some other occasion) and you set the standards high, and again you speak the truth.

Gist of Idea

Whether or not France is hexagonal depends on your standards of precision

Source

David Lewis (On the Plurality of Worlds [1986], 4.5)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'On the Plurality of Worlds' [Blackwell 2001], p.251


A Reaction

This is very persuasive. It fits with my views on justification, which are to do with how high I (or more often 'we') decide to set the standards, thereby defining knowledge for that occasion. Hm. Has Lewis cracked vagueness? [P.S. NO!]

Related Idea

Idea 21625 The vagueness of 'heap' can remain even when the context is fixed [Williamson]