Sense and self
Perspectives on Nonpropositionality
The concept of nonpropositionality encompasses aspects of knowledge and experience that resist truth-functional analysis and conceptual scrutiny. This work focuses on theoretical philosophy, beginning with a critical exploration of Gottlob Frege's contributions. It outlines Frege’s propositional focus in epistemology, logic, and language against the backdrop of psychologism, emphasizing the limitations of his approach. The analysis delves into Frege’s logicist project, examining foundational elements such as definitions, primitive terms, elucidations, and his notion of "colouring." The latter part of the text highlights the significance of nonpropositionality in contemporary analytical philosophy, particularly in epistemology and philosophy of mind. It addresses key areas like theories of perception and inner experience, focusing on non-epistemic views of seeing, non-conceptual content, phenomenal consciousness, and self-consciousness. The central argument posits that the nonpropositional underpins and is essential for propositional knowledge. Without securing the nonpropositional foundations, any analysis of propositional knowledge remains tenuous. The work aims to bridge this critical gap in understanding.
