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The Deep Uncertainty of Existence: An Honest Philosophy Book
The Deep Uncertainty of Existence An Honest Philosophy Book Author:Fred Leavitt The study of philosophy can be defined as a critical inquiry into life, death, and the meaning of human existence. Yet serious philosophy books are rarely found at the top of best seller lists, and students in university philosophy courses don t have to fight for the last seat in the classroom. There are several reasons. The most important is th... more »is: There can be no better answers to the major philosophical problems than were given centuries ago. Plato and Pyrrho, both of whom lived before the birth of Christ, and Sextus Empiricus, who died in the third century A.D., showed that philosophical exploration meets impenetrable boundaries. Everything we (think we) know comes from one of only four sources innate knowledge, religious faith, reasoning, and sensory data. Fred Leavitt shows that none of the sources can be trusted. Our beliefs simplify and make the world comprehensible, so they are rarely challenged. Reevaluation might lead to the realization that they are false. The more important the belief, the more desperately a person clings to it despite disconfirming evidence. So people frequently ignore or even actively avoid information that would challenge any of their long held beliefs. We seek patterns and find them even if they are not there. Philosopher G.E. Moore wrote that, if a seemingly sound argument leads to a bizarre and implausible conclusion, the argument may not be sound after all. He encouraged intelligent readers to search for errors in either the premises or the argument form. Moore s point is a good one. The conclusions in this book are outrageous and should be carefully evaluated. Go to it.« less