“Significance can wither, or nonsense flourish, as a result of conceptual excess as well as a result of conceptual deficiency; and perhaps conceptual over-indulgence is more common than conceptual starvation…” But, from these alternatives, [w]e need not cultivate either of these conceptions to the exclusion of the other. Questions arise about both. In particular the stronger conception is exposed to a kind of scepticism. By what kind of argument could it be shown that any concept or complex of concepts had the character of necessity envisaged in that conception? The question is obviously a serious one. But the interest and importance of the analytical enterprise are not seriously diminished if we cannot find a satisfactory answer to it. For there always remains the other conception, the less demanding one; and to arrive at a clear understanding of the most general features of our conceptual structure, as it exists in fact-whether or not it is possible to demonstrate the necessity of those features-is a sufficient task for any philosopher, however ambitious. If, then, one finds oneself forced to abandon the stronger conception of fundamental structure-and I do not say that one must or will-one can settle, without dismay, for the less strong". Strawson, P., F. (1992). Analysis and Metaphysics. P. 26-7.
Posted on: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 05:32:53 +0000
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