display all the ideas for this combination of philosophers
2 ideas
17263 | Why do rationalists accept Sufficient Reason, when it denies the existence of fundamental facts? [Correia/Schnieder] |
Full Idea: What is most puzzling about the rationalist tradition is the steadfast certainty with which the Principle of Sufficient Reason was often accepted, since it in effect denies that there are fundamental facts. | |
From: Correia,F/Schnieder,B (Grounding: an opinionated introduction [2012], 2.2) | |
A reaction: A very simple and interesting observation. The principle implies either a circle of reasons, or an infinite regress of reasons. Nothing can be labelled as 'primitive' or 'foundational' or 'given'. The principle is irrational! |
21267 | Supposing many principles is superfluous if a few will do it [Aquinas] |
Full Idea: It is superfluous to suppose that what can be accounted for by a few principles has been produced by many. | |
From: Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologicae [1265], Ia,Q02,Art3,Ob2) | |
A reaction: Notice that this is 'superfluous' rather than 'wrong'. But ten people can lift a piano which could have been lifted by eight. Note that this is 150 years before Ockham. |