Critically Evaluate Moore’s Proof of the External World.

Q: Critically evaluate Moore's proof of the external world.

A: This being a critical evaluation, we will follow the traditional Indian format for such an undertaking in that we state Moore's position (purva-paksha) followed by a refutation of his position (khandan) and conclude with stating our position (siddhant). There are a two points to be bought to attention in this regard:

a. the purva-paksha includes Ms. Alice Ambrose's views in support of Moore's position

b. since Moore is a realist, a siddhant would possibly be an idealist position and for this we merely state Berkeley's viewpoint in brief in this regard

Purva-paksha

Moore's position

Moore attempts at giving a proof of an external world for which he starts with stating that Kant was the first person who thought that it was scandalous that such a proof had not been given up to his time. Moore then states that, though Kant had said he had the only possible proof for this, he would try to attempt another one. His first task then is to make clear certain terms which seem to him ambiguous. Among these, the major ones are:

a. "things to be met with in space" (henceforth called TMWS)

b. "things to be presented in space" (henceforth called TPIS)

c. "things external to our minds" (henceforth called TETM)

TMWS can be defined as those things which can be perceived by us by use of one or more of