display all the ideas for this combination of philosophers
2 ideas
13592 | Beliefs can be ascribed to machines [Quine] |
Full Idea: Beliefs have been ascribed to machines, in support of a mechanistic philosophy, and I share this attitude. | |
From: Willard Quine (Intensions Revisited [1977], p.123) | |
A reaction: [He cites Raymond Nelson] One suspects that this is Quine's latent behaviourism speaking. It strikes me as a crass misuse of 'belief' to ascribe it to a simple machine like a thermostat. |
18969 | How do you distinguish three beliefs from four beliefs or two beliefs? [Quine] |
Full Idea: Suppose I say that I have given up precisely three beliefs since lunch. An over-coarse individuation could reduce the number to two, and an over-fine one could raise it to four. | |
From: Willard Quine (Propositional Objects [1965], p.144) | |
A reaction: Obviously if you ask how many beliefs I hold, it would be crazy to give a precise answer. But if I search for my cat, I give up my belief that it is in the kitchen, in the lounge and in the bathroom. That's precise enough to be three beliefs, I think. |