One chapter of this book uses the example of a delusional novelist who, having worked his entirelife on a magnum opus, comes to believe that the characters of his novel actually exist, to make byanalogy the point that "Nothing Given Exists." It argues that a single moment of awareness cannotcontain either knowledge or belief, because any concept experienced in that moment must refer to anessence outside of the moment. Thus, the ultimate foundation of knowledge is not metaphysicallyprovable, but is instead "radically incapable of proof" and arises from environmental happenstance.That is the exp
One chapter of this book uses the example of a delusional novelist who, having worked his entirelife on a magnum opus, comes to believe that the characters of his novel actually exist, to make byanalogy the point that "Nothing Given Exists." It argues that a single moment of awareness cannotcontain either knowledge or belief, because any concept experienced in that moment must refer to anessence outside of the moment. Thus, the ultimate foundation of knowledge is not metaphysicallyprovable, but is instead "radically incapable of proof" and arises from environmental happenstance.That is the explication of this book's noted opening sentence, (*) "a philosopher is compelled to followthe maxim of epic poets and to plunge in medias res." For 10 points, identify this work which says that theonly basis for knowledge is our evolutionary instincts, a treatise by George Santayana.
One chapter of this book uses the example of a delusional novelist who, having worked his entirelife on a magnum opus, comes to believe that the characters of his novel actually exist, to make byanalogy the point that "Nothing Given Exists.
Skepticism and Animal Faith