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Work #843 · Late

Proof of an External World

G. E. Moore
1939 (British Academy lecture) · English
Philosophical lecture · Early-twentieth-century British analytic philosophy / common-sense realism

Moore's 1939 lecture defending common-sense realism — "Here is one hand"

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute Proof of an External World (Late)
Time · Extent Infinite
Time · Ontological Status Substantival
Time · Grain Continuous
Time · Freedom Non-Deterministic
Time · Traversability Linear
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Infinite
Space · Ontological Status Substantival
Space · Curvature Flat
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Local
Matter · Extent Infinite
Matter · Ontological Status Substantival
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Partial
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Total
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Both
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency None
Observer · Moral Authority Reason
Observer · Theological Method —
Energy · Extent Infinite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Conserved
Energy · Dispersibility Irreversible
Information · Ontological Status Substantival
Information · Cosmic Conservation Conserved
Information · Personal Conservation Conserved
Information · Granularity Continuous

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

⧖

Time

Proof of an External World

The presented moment of the lecture.

✦

Space

Proof of an External World

The space of two demonstrated hands.

◉

Matter

Proof of an External World

The hands as external material objects.

◎

Observer

Proof of an External World

The philosopher demonstrating to the audience.

⚡

Energy

Proof of an External World

Energies of demonstrative gesture.

⧉

Information

Proof of an External World

The proof-by-demonstration.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

Proof of an External World

Moore's Proof of an External World: defining defence of common-sense realism; central reference for the long analytic debate about scepticism.