PHIL
309: Twentieth Century Analytic Philosophy
LARKIN:
Spring 2003
________________________________________
DATE: 1-23-03
I.
Objectives
A.
Lay
bare the assumptions of Moore’s argument against idealism.
B.
Critically
discuss Moore’s Common Sense Realism
II.
Discussion:
Moore’s Argument Against Idealism
III.
Lecture:
A.
Common
Sense Propositions
1. Types of Propositions
|
|
Body
(Physical) |
Mind
(Mental) |
|
Self
(Subjective) |
“I
have a human body tat has existed for some time at or near the surface of the
earth.” |
“I
have had certain thoughts and experiences.” |
|
Others
(Objective) |
“There
are other objects that have at times existed at varying distances from me.” |
“There
are other minds like mine that have similar thoughts and experiences.” |
2. CSPs are true
a.
They
are wholly true—not just partially true.
b.
They
are true under their ordinary, non-philosophical interpretation.
3. CSPs are known with
certainty
B.
Analytic
Function of Philosophy
C.
Proof
of an External World
1. The Proof
P1: Here is
one human hand.
P2: Here is
another human hand.
C1: So there
are at least two human hands.
(C2): So
there are external objects.
2. Conditions on a Successful Proof
a.
True
Premises
b.
Valid
Argument
c.
Non-Question-Begging
IV.
Discussion: Moore’s Common Sense Realism-compelling or question-begging?
V.
Next
Time
A.
Topic:
Frege and Modern Logic
B.
Reading: Frege, “On Sense and Reference”
C.
Reading Questions: See Next Lecture Skeleton