“All knowledge, we find, must be built up upon our instinctive beliefs, and if these are rejected, nothing is left.”
Russell affirms that knowledge of the physical world should be tied to our sensory experiences which he terms as sense-data. In the novel, he critiques the basis of the philosophies that define what reality is founded on by assessments of others. He argues that instinctual judgment through personal experience is a concrete basis to interpret the world. Thus, the statement expresses the significance of sensory experience towards knowledge itself.
“Hence, once more, the value of philosophy must not depend upon any supposed body of definitely ascertainable knowledge to be acquired by those who study it.”
In presenting his arguments, Russell points out the problems of philosophies that came before. While critiquing them he also agrees with some in conveying his opinions regarding reality and our judgment of reality. Therefore, the assertion implores the need to place value on philosophy beyond the truth or reality ascertained as facts by others. Russell aims to further the discourse around other philosophies in order to solve their problems or rather present a new perceptive.
