Category Archives: epistemology

"The enemy of pluralism is monism — the ancient belief that there is a single harmony of truths into which everything, if it is genuine, in the end must fit. The consequence of this belief (which is something different from, … Continue reading →

My second thesis is that what appears to be the prima facie method of teach- ing philosophy is liable to produce a philosophy which answers Wittgenstein’s description. What I mean by ‘prima facie method of teaching philosophy’, and what would … Continue reading →

The problem ‘Which comes first, the hypothesis (H) or the observation (O),’ is soluble; as in the problem, ‘Which comes first, the hen (H) or the egg (O)’. The reply to the latter is, ‘An earlier kind of egg’; to … Continue reading →

It is high time now, I think, to formulate the epistemological results of this discussion. I will put them in the form of nine theses. 1. There are no ultimate sources of knowledge. Every source, every suggestion, is welcome; and … Continue reading →

I consider this to be one of Popper’s more important essays, which is why I provide some rough study notes here. I highly recommend people read this essay. It is contained in Conjectures and Refutations, pages 162 to 182. 1. … Continue reading →

CRist (critical rationalist) – A person who does NOT hold a theory of rationality. TRist (traditional rationalist) – A person who does hold a theory of rationality. A CRist needs to distinguish between the truth and falsity in every case, … Continue reading →

There are some people who insist that the truth of values must be demonstrated in someway. Here I have a created a dialog between one such person and a critical rationalist. Can you guess which is which? A: Demonstrate the … Continue reading →