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Epistemology

Some people believe that the truth is manifest for all to see, if only they would look. Under this view, anyone who does not see the truth, must be bad. So, if you ever hear someone arguing that their view is self-evident or obvious, be wary -- s/he either thinks you are intentionally bad or s/he is inconsistent.

Elliot Temple on February 16, 2003

Messages (2)

> So, if you ever hear someone arguing that their view is self-evident or obvious, be wary -- s/he either thinks you are intentionally bad or s/he is inconsistent.

i think this is a false dichotomy.

a 3rd possibility i thought of is this:

the person says a sentence using the word obviously but he doesn't *mean* obviously and instead he used the word out of habit. like the way people say the word like a bunch.

if he didn't mean obviously, then the meaning he's trying to convey isn't necessarily inconsistent. am i right?


Anonymous at 5:54 PM on January 22, 2016 | #4581 | reply | quote

using the word out of habit, rather than according to its meaning, sounds inconsistent to me. cuz i think part of him knows the actual meaning and could think of it.


Anonymous at 7:13 PM on January 22, 2016 | #4586 | reply | quote

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