Yall don’t have the first clue about epistemology. Take, for instance, Dennis Campbell’s statement that ““Reality,” to me, is what can be confirmed, repeatedly, by some observers apart from one person”. What does “confirmed” mean? Repeatedly—how does he know that one instance of observation has any connection with the next instance? How does he know that there are more observers than one?

These questions prove that there are more fundamental elements in epistemology than “confirmation”, “experiment”, “predictions, “falsification”, “observers”, and all the other derived concepts that you keep throwing around in your childish attempts at epistemology.

Adieu the falsification! Adieu the testable predictions! Adieu the whole miserable, stinking edifice of Popperian philosophy.

SkepticX - 09 January 2012 09:24 AM

Brick Bungalow - 09 January 2012 09:14 AM

SkepticX - 08 January 2012 02:42 PM

Brick Bungalow - 08 January 2012 09:28 AM

Thus far, I’m inclined to go with epistemological skepticism ...

You mean epistemologically based skepticism? Because epistemological skepticism is a form of solipsism (it’s about skepticism of epistemology on a fundamental level rather than skepticism based upon sound epistemology).

I believe you are correct. Skeptical epistemology would a better fit. Although I think even sound concepts are only so provisionally. They are true in the sense of being fit to a purpose. Rather than in some encompassing, universal fashion.

What if the fashion in which they’re sound is that they accurately rather than inaccurately describe/interpret reality?

I’m uncomfortable with the word reality untethered in the cool breeze like that. The only access I have is that I can compare concepts for internal fitness and for congruence with other concepts. Establishing a working measure that serves my purposes. My mind is probably real because I cannot compose a sensible theory for the alternative. And it likely corresponds to some exterior environment. Whatever global claim these datums have on reality writ large isn’t clear to me. But I’m open to suggestions.