RI Scepticism Unit 2 2023

A new hero arises

A Duel! You don’t know us. In fact, it is said that you know nothing. But know this: your time of tyranny and oppression is at an end. We challenge you to a duel – of minds! We know you won’t refuse. You can’t. Just ‘coz.

Immy the Transcendent

Immy the Transcendent Evil demon! I know for sure that I exist! Wait whut? Ah but even then I exist! Whut whut? To be deceived I must first exist! Whut Cogito Ergo Sum! whut? whut

Done! Try doubting that language exists! Aarghhh Tell me about it! No… think about it… Now doubt that you’re seeing me! Eas… Argh!

Global Scepticism You cannot doubt everything Mitigated Scepticism 02 You cannot but believe in some things Ordinary Language 03 You are not playing the same language game Common Sense 04 You just know even if you can’t explain how Recap 01 Transcendental Arg You can know certain things that have to be true 05

Global Scepticism Global Sceptic We can’t trust so many of our beliefs! We don’t know anything! Objection You know at least one thing in making that statement! Self-refuting! GS: “all beliefs are doubtful,” i.e. being sceptical about everything all at once. But to do so would involve doubting the very statement of global scepticism itself. Hence, not all beliefs are doubtful and thus shoots itself in the foot. It is thus self-defeating. Think: I know that I know nothing – incoherent! An important discovery made by the Ancient Greeks: not everything can be doubted at once. If we are to doubt one set of beliefs, we are also going to have to take certain other beliefs for granted.