How well can one get to know a Strawsonian person?
Abstract
I shall argue that one cannot get to know a Strawsonian person, to speak in a popular way. To speak more philosophically, Strawson has a metaphysical theory of persons which involves serious epistemological difficulties. I shall begin by establishing that Strawson is committed to three claims: 1) the concept of a person is a priori, 2) persons are "items" or "things" which cannot be experienced, and 3) we apply the concept of a person to a particular Strawsonian person (subject of experiences and bodily characteristics) "via" his body. Then I shall argue that good reasons for this view are not provided and offer explanations of why Strawson does not recognize this difficulty.
Part of
Citation
Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 34 (4):515-527.