Analysis Of George Edward Moore's Argument For Proof Of An External World

Angel Hakim

Intro to Philosophy 101

February 11, 2016

Critical Paper #1

Word Count: 607

The subsequent reconstructs George Edward Moore’s argument for Proof of an External World (G. E. Moore, 228-231):

P1. George Edward Moore created and argument containing two of his own hands as rigorous proof for an external world.

P2. External life exists

P3. G.E. Moore could have used different proof while proving external life

P4. If P3 eventuated, we would have more than one meticulous proof so that P1 is made true.

There are five points I’d like to make.

Due to George Edward Moore’s affective knowledge or “experience”, it gave him raison d’être to have unconditional faith concerning the fact Moore consists of two hands in front of him. Because

Not only did George Edward Moore give a “perfectly rigorous” proof, but it is considered proof due to the fact it had met three conditions; (1) unless the premises which represents the evidence of the conclusion was different from the conclusion (which Moore illustrated); (2) unless the premises was something you knew would be the case and not something based on belief or truth, of which he did not know to be so; (3) Lastly, the conclusion followed the premises. Moore uses the example “Two hands exist at this moment (229)” as a different conclusion distinct than his. However, Moore believes his conclusion was more ambiguous due to showing his hands and making gestures, also, adding the fact that Moore said “Here is one hand, and here is another” (229). He later states that his proof definitely met the requirements in order to pass as rigid proof. (1) Moores premises was naturally different than his conclusion; (2) George knew his expression was guided by specific hand gestures, and using the words, “‘Here’ is one hand and ‘here’ is another”. (3) The last of satisfactory requirement pertaining rigid proof, the conclusion has followed the premises. Moore deliberately uses the term now, and there are two hands of which exist now to exemplify the existence of both hands now, as of that