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About this quote

What does it mean?
Knowledge that comes without inference is simply mental content.
In plain terms
What we know directly is mental.
What can you take from it?
Recognize the role of inference in knowledge.

Where it applies

  • philosophical analysis
  • cognitive science

Putting it to work

  • examine assumptions
  • differentiate perception from reasoning

Questions to consider

  • How do we distinguish mental content from inferred knowledge?
  • Is any knowledge truly free of inference?

Another view

The statement is vague and may overlook implicit inference.

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