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    A skeptical argument whose conclusion is less certain tha... — Carmelics
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    Supports→Problematic idealism — the view that the existence of objects outside us in space is doubtful and indemonstrable — is false.

    A skeptical argument whose conclusion is less certain than the common-sense propositions it seeks to overturn fails as a demonstration, since the denial of the conclusion is epistemically stronger than any premise in the argument.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.If a premise is less certain than what it purports to prove, rational agents should reject the argument's conclusion.
      ?

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    • 2.Common-sense propositions like 'I have hands' are grounded in direct experience and widespread agreement across cultures.
      ?

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    • 3.Skeptical arguments often rely on abstract possibilities (brain-in-a-vat) that are inherently more speculative than ordinary perception.
      ?

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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Certainty and justification are distinct; a less certain premise can validly support a conclusion by revealing hidden assumptions.
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    • 2.Common-sense propositions may feel certain but lack the logical rigor to withstand systematic scrutiny—familiarity isn't evidence of truth.
      ?

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    • 3.Skeptical arguments expose that common-sense confidence often depends on unexamined beliefs, making their conclusion epistemically valuable regardless of comparative certainty.
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    Key Terms

    Common-sense propositions(as used in philosophy)
    Everyday beliefs that most people accept without question, like 'other people exist' or 'I have a body.'
    Conclusion(Output of an Argument; may be singular (C) or plural (C1, C2, etc.))
    A logically interconnected result produced by an Argument within a Deduction
    Epistemically stronger(as used in epistemology (the study of knowledge))
    A claim that requires more evidence or justification to support it. If claim B is 'epistemically stronger' than claim A, then B is harder to know or prove than A.
    Premise
    A premise is a statement or fact that you assume to be true as a starting point for reasoning or making an argument. Think of it as the foundation or building block you use to reach a conclusion—for example, "All dogs are animals" and "My pet is a dog" are premises that lead to the conclusion "My pet is an animal." Premises are essentially the evidence or claims you offer before drawing a final conclusion.
    Skeptical argument(describes the type of argument being discussed)
    A line of reasoning that challenges whether we can actually know or be justified in believing something, even if it seems obvious.
    demonstration(The target of the skeptical critique; assumed to be the standard model of knowledge acquisition)
    A method of inferential proof from first principles or definitions, claimed to be the means by which knowledge is acquired
    epistemology(Contrasted with purely descriptive scientific inquiry)
    A normative enterprise that tells us how we ought to reason from evidence and how we ought to justify our beliefs, as distinct from merely describing how we do reason or justify beliefs

    Connections

    2 topics

    Perception1 linkedSkepticism1 linked

    Related

    Certainty and justification are distinct; a less certain premise can validly sup...Common-sense propositions like 'I have hands' are grounded in direct experience ...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit
    Common-sense propositions may feel certain but lack the logical rigor to withsta...
    If a premise is less certain than what it purports to prove, rational agents sho...
    +3 moreShow less
    Problematic idealism — the view that the existence of objects outside us in spac...Skeptical arguments expose that common-sense confidence often depends on unexami...Skeptical arguments often rely on abstract possibilities (brain-in-a-vat) that a...