Kain, A.: G.E. Moore and the Defense of Ordinary Propositions

This paper evaluates G.E. Moore's 1925 essay, “A Defence of Common Sense” as a response to British idealism, particularly in the views of F.H. Bradley and J.M.E. McTaggart. It examines Moore's defensive through a series of 'truisms': ordinary propositions, that he argues can be known with absolute certainty. By appealing to a series of truisms, this paper will standby Moore's argument that ordinary knowledge is a foundation for understanding reality, rather than speculative philosophical theories that attempt to undermine them. Furthermore, this paper will dive into sense-data theory, and conclude that Moore's argument fails to provide strong justification for certainty.