Single Idea 12628

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 6. Knowing How]

Full Idea

Thought about the world is prior to thought about how to change the world. Accordingly, knowing that is prior to knowing how. Descartes was right, and Ryle was wrong.

Gist of Idea

Knowing that must come before knowing how

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (LOT 2 [2008], Ch.1)

Book Reference

Fodor,Jerry A.: 'LOT 2: the Language of Thought Revisited' [OUP 2008], p.14


A Reaction

The classical example is knowing how to ride a bicycle, when few people can explain what is involved. Clearly you need quite a bit of propositional knowledge before you step on a bike. How does Fodor's claim work for animals?