On the Notion of Metaphysical Certitude

Some Notes

When we speak of “certitude,” we refer to a certain quality of the mind’s assent to some judgement, i.e., its firmness. This firmness of assent excludes fear of error. Here it is important to distinguish persuasion from certitude. Where there is persuasion, there is a subjectively sufficient motive to move us to judge in a certain way, abstracting from the objective sufficiency of these motives. Hence, someone may be persuaded by their passions to affirm a certain doctrine where there is not an objectively sufficient foundation. Certitude, on the other hand, removes fear of error by an objectively sufficient foundation.