Single Idea 13157

[catalogued under 3. Truth / A. Truth Problems / 8. Subjective Truth]

Full Idea

One should choose the more intelligible hypothesis, and the truth is nothing but its intelligibility.

Gist of Idea

Choose the true hypothesis, which is the most intelligible one

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (On Copernicanism and Relativity of Motion [1689], p.91)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.91


A Reaction

This apparently simple observation strikes me as being rather profound. Our picture of the world is shaped entirely by what is intelligible to us. An odd notion of truth, though. The age of reason. See Idea 13158.

Related Idea

Idea 13158 The Copernican theory is right because it is the only one offering a good explanation [Leibniz]