Verification Strengths And Weaknesses

Question 1

People value evidence
Strength

Answer 1

It takes seriously the importance of empirical evidence. In the modern world, ‘people value ideas for which there is evidence’ (AJ Ayer). Our society values empiricism.

Question 2

Fits with science
Strength

Answer 2

Verificationism fits with a scientific understanding of reality.
It restricts meaning to whatever we have, or can in principle have, scientific evidence for. This is helpful because it will ensure that we do not imagine we are talking about reality when we have no evidence to think that we are.

Question 3

Fails its own test
Weakness

Answer 3

The Verification Principle fails its own test - it is neither analytic / empirically verifiable. Therefore, the Principle itself is meaningless!

Question 4

Too rigid
Weakness

Answer 4

Original Principle has been criticised as too rigid / narrow. For example, some scientific or universal statements may be rendered ‘meaningless’ because they cannot be verified in practice.

Question 5

Eschatological argument weakness

Answer 5

Hick supports the verification principle but argues that religious claims ARE verifiable. Religious statements are meaningful eschatologically.

Question 6

Language game
Weakness

Answer 6

Many philosophers believe ethical, religious and aesthetic statements are meaningful - even if just to those who make them (Language games).

Question 7

Consistent with locke and hume

Answer 7

Consistent with the empirical ideas of John Locke and David Hume, who argue that truth and knowledge are acquired via our senses.