Philosophy: Universal doubt cancels itself

[Ani_Ibi]

Universal doubt cancels itself. – Edmund Husserl, The Crisis of European Sciences and Transcendental Phenomenology

Hey, I guess he is saying that, if we can manage to doubt everything, then we can grasp faith. How does one reach the point of doubting everything then?

 

[john_doran]

is that what he’s saying? i thought he was making the logical point that universal doubt is performatively self-refuting: “i am certain about one thing, namely that one cannot be certain about anything”.

 

[Truthstalker]

Whatever he’s saying, he’s calling us to doubt what he is saying.

Ok, I doubt it.

 

[RobedWithLight]

Person A: “We can never be sure of anything.”

Person B: “Are you sure?”

Person A: “Of course I’m sure!”

 

[Mersenne]

is that what he’s saying? i thought he was making the logical point that universal doubt is performatively self-refuting: “i am certain about one thing, namely that one cannot be certain about anything”.

I’ve always wondered, how about “I’m pretty sure that nothing is certain”

 

[john_doran]

I’ve always wondered, how about “I’m pretty sure that nothing is certain”

is being “pretty sure” anything like being “fairly certain”?

 

[Ani_Ibi]

Ani Ibi:

Hey, I guess he is saying that, if we can manage to doubt everything, then we can grasp faith.

john doran:

is that what he’s saying?

I’m not sure actually. But I thought I’d stir it up.

 

[Mersenne]

is being “pretty sure” anything like being “fairly certain”?

Certainly, but fairly certain is different then total certainty, and the claim is only about the inexistence of total certainty. “I’m fairly sure that nothing is totally certain”