Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Circularity: Circularity is an expression for the problem that something cannot be explained by itself. The problem arises, for example, when, in an attempted definition, no independent second expression is found for an object or for the relations of this object to other objects. See also circle, vicious circle principle, totality, wholes, type theory, self-reference. _____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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John McDowell on Circularity - Dictionary of Arguments
I 195 Circle/Peacock/McDowell: why does Peacocke believe that there must be bridges between the conceptual and what is external in the experience? He believes that he must avoid a circle with this. In order to explain the possession of a concept of observation, we must not, according to Peacocke, regard the content as conceptual. >Observation language/Peacocke, >Theoretical term/Peacocke, >Experience/Peacocke. For example, colors: not only the notion of "red" is presupposed, but, worse, the "concept of possession of the concept "red"" is presupposed. I 196 Circle/McDowellVsPeacocke: this only shifts the problem. Why should we actually assume that we are always in a position to explain what it means to have a concept? For example, the neurophysiological conditions would not refer to what someone thinks when he thinks that something is red. (That's exactly what Peacocke wants). Circle/McDowell: the explanation for observation concepts must always be outside the scope of the concepts. (Also Wittgenstein). But not "lateral perspective". --- I 197 Circle/Experience/Reason/Side perspective/McDowell: because of the impossibility to take the "side perspective" (to set oneself up outside of everything), the circle is not to be avoided, but it is not bad in the case of observation concepts. >Myth of the given. The problem of motivated thought tends to undermine the motivated thought. The necessary "side perspective" (external point) undermines the intelligibility of "for the reason that"._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
McDowell I John McDowell Mind and World, Cambridge/MA 1996 German Edition: Geist und Welt Frankfurt 2001 McDowell II John McDowell "Truth Conditions, Bivalence and Verificationism" In Truth and Meaning, G. Evans/J. McDowell, |
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> Counter arguments against McDowell
> Counter arguments in relation to Circular Reasoning
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-18