Combining Philosophers

Ideas for H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim, Augustine and David Wiggins

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2 ideas

1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 4. Conceptual Analysis
We learn a concept's relations by using it, without reducing it to anything [Wiggins]
     Full Idea: We can achieve a lot by elucidations that put a concept to use without attempting to reduce it but, in using the concept, exhibit its connexions with other concepts that are established.
     From: David Wiggins (Sameness and Substance Renewed [2001], Pr.3)
     A reaction: This seems to be the best line of defence for analytic philosophy, given the much-cited observation that no one has successful reduced any concept by pure analysis.
1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 5. Linguistic Analysis
Semantic facts are preferable to transcendental philosophical fiction [Wiggins]
     Full Idea: Semantical fact is almost always more interesting than transcendental philosophical fiction.
     From: David Wiggins (Sameness and Substance [1980], 3.1 n4)
     A reaction: An interesting expression of a more sophisticated recent allegiance to linguistic philosophy. There is still a strong allegiance to semantics as a major branch of philosophy, despite caution (e.g. from Nathan Salmon) about its scope.