Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Herodotus, Thomas Aquinas and Rom Harr

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2 ideas

14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / i. Explanations by mechanism

15885	The necessity of Newton's First Law derives from the nature of material things, not from a mechanism [Harré]
	Full Idea: The 'must' of Newton's First Law is different. There is no deeper level relative to the processes described to give a mechanism which generates uniform motion. There is no such mechanism. ..It specifies what it is for something to be a material thing.
	From: Rom Harré (Laws of Nature [1993], 4)
	A reaction: Harré says the law can only exist as part of a network of other ideas.

14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / k. Explanations by essence

11198	Definition of essence makes things understandable [Aquinas]
	Full Idea: It is definition of essence that makes things understandable.
	From: Thomas Aquinas (De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence) [1267], p.92)
	A reaction: The aim of philosophy is understanding, which is achieved by successful explanation. I totally agree with this Aristotelian view, so neatly summarised by Aquinas.