Theme 1: Theory of Science

1. What does Russell mean by "sense data" and why does he introduce this notion?

When we experience an object there is a distinction between appearance and reality. The object might look different in different settings of light for example and angles. It will not look the same to two different people observing the object at the same time because they don’t se it from the same spot. This is the appearance, what the object appear to be to the observers. It is not the reality shared by their experiences, because it differ. Russell mean that the real object if it exists is not the same as what we immediately experienced in sight, touch and hearing. Hence, two difficult questions arise, does the object exist and if so, what kind of object can it be? To consider these questions Russell introduced a few terms that are definite and clear. Sense data is one of the terms that is immediately know in sensations such as colors, sounds, smells and so on. And sensation is the experience of being immediately aware of these things.

2. What is the meaning of the terms "proposition" and "statement of fact"? How does propositions and statement of facts differ from other kinds of verbal expressions?

An example of statement of fact: Bishop Berkeley proved that sense data cannot be supposed to have an existence independent of us, but must be partly in the mind. Because their existence would not continue if there were no seeing, hearing, touching, smelling or tasting. Which is derived from grounds of the theory of knowledge. Which is conditions of how things must satisfy in order that we may be able to know them. The statement by Berkeley is proven through these facts from theory of knowledge.

A proposition is a complex philosophical expression of meaning. In chapter 4 Berkley’s argument “whatever can be thought of is an idea in the mind of the person thinking of it, therefore nothing can be thought of except ideas in minds, therefore anything else is inconceivable, and what is inconceivable cannot exist“. Has been widely advanced by very many philosophers (idealists) but is in Russell’s opinion fallacious. This argument is a proposition because it has been widely advanced (accepted) without having a statement of fact that proves the argument, a proposition.

3. In chapter 5 ("Knowledge by Acquaintance and Knowledge by Description") Russell introduces the notion "definite description". What does this notion mean?

Objects which we are acquainted with that is not physical objects or other people’s minds, are things known as “knowledge by description” by Russell. It enables us to pass beyond the limits of our private experiences. Russell describes a “description” by, any phrase of the form “a so-and-so” or “the so-and-so”. Thou the “a so-and-so” form are of ambiguous description since they are not known by description. If “The so-and-so” phrase is in singular, it is of definite description, and when having a certain property it is known by description. For example: “The girl with red coat” (“The so-and-so”). While an example of the ambiguous description (“a so-and-so”), would be: “a girl”.

4. In chapter 13 ("Knowledge, Error and Probable Opinion") and in chapter 14 ("The Limits of Philosophical Knowledge") Russell attacks traditional problems in theory of knowledge (epistemology). What are the main points in Russell's presentation?

In chapter 13, Russell argues that the question as to how we can know what is true and what is false is of more interest than the question as to what is meant by truth and falsehood, which is considered in the preceding chapter. He points out that knowledge through erroneous beliefs still can be true. As one example from the text, Russell describes that a man have the belief that the Prime ministers last name starts with a B. The Prime ministers last name is Bannerman but the man believes that Mr. Balfour is the name of Prime minister. This shows an erroneous belief that turns up true with the first letter “B” in the last name. This knowledge based on a “true belief” but deduced by a false belief enhances Russells opinion that it’s more important to know how we can know what is true and what is false.

In chapter 14 Russell analyzes claims made by philosophers, which they assert is possible to prove through priori metaphysical reasoning. Examples of which he examines are: fundamental dogmas of religion, essential rationality of the universe, the illusoriness of matter and the unreality of evil. These (types) of reasoning are missing pieces of the whole picture because the metaphysics can’t obtain knowledge about the universe as a whole. Through the discussions about these claims he indicates that there is philosophical limits to our understanding.