Archimedean point

An Archimedean point (Latin: Punctum Archimedis) is a hypothetical viewpoint from which certain objective truths can perfectly be perceived (also known as a God's-eye view) or a reliable starting point from which one may reason. In other words, a view from an Archimedean point describes the ideal of removing oneself from the object of study so that one can see it in relation to all other things while remaining independent of them.^[1]

For example, the philosopher John Rawls uses the heuristic device of the original position in an attempt to remove the particular biases of individual agents to demonstrate how rational beings might arrive at an objective formulation of justice.^[2]

^ Blackburn, Simon, ed. [2008] 2016. "Archimedean Point" (quick reference). The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy (2nd rev. ed.). eISBN 9780191727726. Oxford Reference. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
^ Bell, Daniel. [2001] 2020."Communitarianism" (revised ed.). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved 18 June 2020.

[1] Blackburn, Simon, ed. [2008] 2016. "Archimedean Point" (quick reference). The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy (2nd rev. ed.). eISBN 9780191727726. Oxford Reference. Retrieved 18 June 2020.

[2] Bell, Daniel. [2001] 2020."Communitarianism" (revised ed.). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved 18 June 2020.

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