I am creating the thread as a way of examining the nature of uncertainty and the implications for life. Any thoughts? — Jack Cummins
What grounds does the idealist have to doubt the existence of her hands? Without grounds, it's not reasonable or "right" to do so. I agree with e.g. Pyrrho, Clifford, Peirce-Dewey, Witty et al on avoiding groundless doubts (or claims).'The idealist's question would be something like what: "What right[/i] have I not to doubt the existence of my hands?"' — Jack Cummins
The only thing that's certain is that we can't be certain. — :cool:
No, that's silly. :smirk:If truth is unattainable, it would be madness/foolishness to seek it, oui monsieur? — Agent Smith
I thought 'wisdom', or 'the good life', is (traditionally) "the be all and end all" of philosophy, and for life it's 'happiness'. As for "truth", it's a property of (some) propositions but not a goal of philosophy or science or life.What, in your opinion, then should take the place of truth as the be all and end all of philosophy, in life?
Truth was never the goal of philosophy. 'Love of wisdom', not love of truth, Smith. Stop kicking up sand and then complaining you can't see. :mask: Btw, there's no controversy about "find truth" e.g. A = A; you were not born before your parents; there are more real numbers than integers; etc ... — 180 Proof
Of course philosophy is "about truths", but that doesn't mean "truth is the goal" – truths are "attainable" means to philosophy's end. I'm (mostly) a(n anti-idealist, anti-essentialist, anti-supernaturalist) fallibilist freethinker for whom "relativism", like nihilism and deconstructionism, is self-refuting sophistry. :wink: — 180 Proof
Nope. Blame it on my twelve years of working-class, Roman Catholic education. By the time I'd opted out of mandatory religion classes for my first philosophy class during 12th grade, my instinct was that the alternative to dogmatism was definitely not relativism — 180 Proof
A philosophy which says that all is permissible would be the extreme of relativism and uncertainty stretched beyond all proportions. — Jack Cummins
I think it might be unclear if certainty is a mental state or a description of experiences/situations and one might draw the conclusion that the mental state is a problem. Which it can be, but not as a rule.'The certainty-seeking mindset has a way of causing those trapped in it to miss out on their lives: it renders them allergic to the present, where uncertainty reigns.' — Jack Cummins
Diagreement is always possible, whether rational or irrational, with grounds or groundlees. Just ask flat-earthers and godists. — 180 Proof
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