Certainty
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Certainty series |
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- A related article is titled uncertainty.
- For statistical certainty, see probability
Certainty is the state of being without doubt. Something is certain only if skepticism could not exist. Philosophy (at least historically) struggles toward certainty.[citation needed] Meditations on First Philosophy is a famous pursuit of certainty by Descartes. Epistemology is the study of knowledge, certainty and truth. Contemporary views of knowledge do not demand certainty, a common alternative is "justified true belief".
[edit] Logic
It is generally believed that Deductive reasoning does make conclusions which are certain. An example:
- P or Q.
- not P.
- Therefore, Q.
The conclusion of Q however, requires "P or Q" and "not P" are true. Logic can only extend certainty to the conclusion but cannot establish certainty of the premises.
| There is no such thing as absolute certainty, but there is assurance sufficient for the purposes of human life. — John Stuart Mill |
| Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd. — Voltaire |
| In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. — Benjamin Franklin |
[edit] See also
- I think therefore I am
- On Certainty a book by Ludwig Wittgenstein
- Skeptical hypothesis
- Almost surely
- Infallibility
