Blackwell Reference Online

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Self-evident propositions are those evident in themselves or known independently of all other propositions and evidence. To comprehend such a proposition is to be fully justified in believing it, or to know it. Such propositions might include first, some necessary truths of logic, for example laws of noncontradiction and identity; second, analytically true propositions, such as ‘bachelors are unmarried’; and third, some contingent propositions, such as ‘I exist’ or ‘I am appeared to redly’. The latter two classes are more controversial: the second because the analytic/synthetic distinction may not be clear-cut, and the third because such propositions may be justified in relation to experience, if not to other propositions. See also analyticity ; the given ; knowledge by acquaintance / knowledge by description . : Belief, Justification, and Knowledge ( Belmont : Wadsworth , 1988 ), ch. 4 . : The Concept of Knowledge ( Evanston : Northwestern University Press , 1970 ), pp. 61 – 75 . : Theory of Knowledge 3rd edn ( Englewood Cliffs : Prentice-Hall , 1989 ), chs 3, 4 . ... log in or subscribe to read full text