Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Herodotus, Heraclitus and Brian Davies

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2 ideas

1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 2. Invocation to Philosophy

1491	Everyone has the potential for self-knowledge and sound thinking [Heraclitus]
	Full Idea: Everyone has the potential for self-knowledge and sound thinking.
	From: Heraclitus (fragments/reports [c.500 BCE], B116), quoted by John Stobaeus - Anthology 3.05.06
	A reaction: This is true. When people are labelled as incapable of philosophy (e.g. by Plato), it is just that they are slow developers.

1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 7. Despair over Philosophy

5863	Reason is eternal, but men are foolish [Heraclitus]
	Full Idea: Although reason exists forever, men are foolish.
	From: Heraclitus (fragments/reports [c.500 BCE]), quoted by Aristotle - The Art of Rhetoric 1407b
	A reaction: The despair of all philosophers (e.g. Plato) who think reason is the easiest thing in the world, and stares everyone in the face, and yet people seem to spurn this supreme gift from the gods. They needed the optimism of the career teacher.