Single Idea 2470

[catalogued under 2. Reason / E. Argument / 2. Transcendental Argument]

Full Idea

Transcendental arguments ran: "If it weren't that P, we couldn't know (now 'say' or 'think' or 'judge') that Q; and we do know (now…) that Q; therefore P". Old and new arguments tend to be equally unconvincing, because of their empiricist preconceptions.

Gist of Idea

Transcendental arguments move from knowing Q to knowing P because it depends on Q

Source

Jerry A. Fodor (In a Critical Condition [2000], Ch. 3)

Book Reference

Fodor,Jerry A.: 'In Critical Condition' [MIT 2000], p.27