It IS at any rate incomplete in one respect, and flagrantly so. The
very fact that we debate this question shows that our KNOWLEDGE is
incomplete at present and subject to addition. In respect of the
knowledge it contains the world does genuinely change and grow. Some
general remarks on the way in which our knowledge completes itself--
when it does complete itself--will lead us very conveniently into
our subject for this lecture, which is 'Common Sense.'
To begin with, our knowledge grows IN SPOTS. The spots may be large
or small, but the knowledge never grows all over: some old knowledge
always remains what it was. Your knowledge of pragmatism, let us
suppose, is growing now. Later, its growth may involve considerable
modification of opinions which you previously held to be true. But
such modifications are apt to be gradual. To take the nearest
possible example, consider these lectures of mine. What you first
gain from them is probably a small amount of new information, a few
new definitions, or distinctions, or points of view. But while these
special ideas are being added, the rest of your knowledge stands
still, and only gradually will you 'line up' your previous opinions
with the novelties I am trying to instil, and modify to some slight
degree their mass.
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