Definition of Certainty and Uncertainty
It is the basic condition of all orientation to operate under uncertainty. Since orientation can never be sure about all the circumstances of a given situation, there might always be surprises. Every certainty orientation has acquired remains its own certainty and, facing new and unforeseen circumstances, might always become uncertain again (chap 1.3). The constant need for certainty can lead orientation to hold onto firm religious or metaphysical beliefs leaving behind all uncertainties along with the struggle for certainty, at least temporarily (chap. 13.3 and 17). Politics, however, faces uncertainty as such; it is the planned handling of uncertain possibilities of action in a society (chap. 12.4).
Note:
The chapters and the page numbers refer to the book by Werner Stegmaier, What is Orientation? A Philosophical Investigation, translated by Reinhard G. Mueller (Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter, 2019).
XI, XV, 9-10, 15, 29, 34, 54, 59-61, 95, 114, 132-133, 165, 167, 176, 185, 190, 193, 201-204, 241-242, 255, 257, 260-261, 265-267, 269, 272, 276, 280, 283
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