Poza Skyllą i Charybdą. Problem fallibilistycznej wykładni poglądów Ksenofanesa

Abstract

In this article, I examine extant fragments of works by Xenophanes from the perspective of fallibilist interpretations. I begin with a general description of the fallibilist position and specify how fallibilism may be understood. To this end, I analyze select definitions of fallibilism with special attention paid to Susan Haack’s research on this doctrine. A distinction between positive and negative fallibilism is also introduced. The main aim of the article is to analyze key epistemological fragments by Xenophanes in the context of a possible fallibilist interpretation, from the perspective of both, positive and negative forms of fallibilism distinguished earlier. I will also present arguments for interpreting his philosophy in the spirit of anti-fallibilism. Finally, I will try to show that Xenophanes’ views, to a greater degree than the later Carneades views, are apt to be recognized as the historical source of positive fallibilism.