From Surface to Depth: Resolving Two Problems in the Grammar of Belief

Abstract

In Between Knowledge and Certainty, I argued that Wittgenstein’s distinction between knowledge and certainty is not just epistemological but grammatical (Ellis 2025). This paper revisits that claim in light of two potential challenges: first, that a statement can express certainty only if it expresses a true knowledge claim; second, that belief-in God’s existence depends on belief-that God exists. I argue these are not genuine epistemological problems, but grammatical misunderstandings resulting from a failure to distinguish surface from depth grammar.

Other Versions

No versions found

Links

PhilArchive

External links

  • This entry has no external links. Add one.
Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

  • Only published works are available at libraries.

Similar books and articles

Reading Wittgenstein (on Belief) with Tillich (on Doubt).Gorazd Andrejč - 2015 - Neue Zeitschrift für Systematicsche Theologie Und Religionsphilosophie 57 (1):60-86.
On Skepticism: Wittgenstein Versus Moore.B. Ananda Sagar - 2025 - Journal of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research 42 (2):253-261.
Why Certainty is Not a Mansion.Elly Vintiadis - 2006 - Journal of Philosophical Research 31:143-152.

Analytics

Added to PP
2025-06-19

Downloads
81 (#700,215)

6 months
1 (#2,172,958)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

David Ellis
Leeds Trinity University

References found in this work

Culture and Value.Ludwig Wittgenstein - 1980 - Chicago, IL, USA: University of Chicago Press. Edited by G. H. von Wright & Heikki Nyman.

Add more references