From Surface to Depth: Resolving Two Problems in the Grammar of Belief

David Ellis

From Surface to Depth: Resolving Two Problems in the Grammar of Belief

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review

Abstract

In Between Knowledge and Certainty, I argued that Wittgenstein’s distinction between knowledge and certainty is not just epistemological but grammatical (Ellis 2025). This paper revisits that claim in light of two potential challenges: first, that a statement can express certainty only if it expresses a true knowledge claim; second, that belief-in God’s existence depends on belief-that God exists. I argue these are not genuine epistemological problems, but grammatical misunderstandings resulting from a failure to distinguish surface from depth grammar.

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - 29 Jul 2025
Event	Wittgenstein, On Certainty and Religion - Online Duration: 28 Jul 2025 → 29 Jul 2025 https://philevents.org/event/show/137798

Academic conference

Academic conference	Wittgenstein, On Certainty and Religion
Period	28/07/25 → 29/07/25
Internet address	https://philevents.org/event/show/137798

Keywords

Wittgenstein
Certainty
religion
hinge
hinge epistemology

Access to Document

https://philpapers.org/rec/ELLFST

2 Membership of learned society or professional body
2 Invited talk/public lecture/debate
1 Seminar/workshop

Resurrection or Resuscitation: Miracle or Medical Phenomenon?
Ellis, D. (Invited speaker)
25 Apr 2025
Activity: Invited talk/public lecture/debate
University of Leeds Centre for Philosophy of Religion and Theology
Ellis, D. (Invited speaker)
5 Dec 2024
Activity: Attending or organising conference/seminar/workshop › Seminar/workshop
British Society for the Philosophy of Religion (External organisation)
Ellis, D. (Member)
2023
Activity: Membership › Membership of learned society or professional body

Cite this

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title = "From Surface to Depth: Resolving Two Problems in the Grammar of Belief",

abstract = "In Between Knowledge and Certainty, I argued that Wittgenstein{\textquoteright}s distinction between knowledge and certainty is not just epistemological but grammatical (Ellis 2025). This paper revisits that claim in light of two potential challenges: first, that a statement can express certainty only if it expresses a true knowledge claim; second, that belief-in God{\textquoteright}s existence depends on belief-that God exists. I argue these are not genuine epistemological problems, but grammatical misunderstandings resulting from a failure to distinguish surface from depth grammar.",

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AB - In Between Knowledge and Certainty, I argued that Wittgenstein’s distinction between knowledge and certainty is not just epistemological but grammatical (Ellis 2025). This paper revisits that claim in light of two potential challenges: first, that a statement can express certainty only if it expresses a true knowledge claim; second, that belief-in God’s existence depends on belief-that God exists. I argue these are not genuine epistemological problems, but grammatical misunderstandings resulting from a failure to distinguish surface from depth grammar.

KW - Wittgenstein

KW - Certainty

KW - religion

KW - hinge

KW - hinge epistemology

M3 - Paper

T2 - Wittgenstein, On Certainty and Religion

Y2 - 28 July 2025 through 29 July 2025

ER -

From Surface to Depth: Resolving Two Problems in the Grammar of Belief

Abstract

Academic conference

Keywords

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Activities

Resurrection or Resuscitation: Miracle or Medical Phenomenon?

University of Leeds Centre for Philosophy of Religion and Theology

British Society for the Philosophy of Religion (External organisation)

Cite this