Ideas of R.B. Braithwaite, by Theme

[British, 1900 - 1990, Professor at Cambridge University.]

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2. Reason / F. Fallacies / 4. Circularity

9355	One sort of circularity presupposes a premise, the other presupposes a rule being used
	Full Idea: An argument is 'premise-circular' if it aims to establish a conclusion that is assumed as a premise of that very argument. An argument is 'rule-circular' if it aims to establish a conclusion that asserts the goodness of the rule used in that argument.
	From: report of R.B. Braithwaite (Scientific Explanation [1953], p.274-8) by Michael Devitt - There is no a Priori §2
	A reaction: Rule circularity is the sort of thing Quine is always objecting to, but such circularities may be unavoidable, and even totally benign. All the good things in life form a mutually supporting team.

29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 1. Religious Commitment / b. Religious Meaning

1468	If meaning is use, then religious sentences have meaning because they are used to assert an intention about how to live
	Full Idea: If the meaning of statements is their use (as Wittgenstein claims), then religious people use religious claims to assert an intention to follow a religious life and morality, and this intention gives their sentences meaning.
	From: report of R.B. Braithwaite (Empiricist View of Religion [1955]) by PG - Db (ideas)