Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Jeremy Bentham, Lynne Rudder Baker and Michael Smith

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1 idea

2. Reason / D. Definition / 1. Definitions
Defining a set of things by paradigms doesn't pin them down enough [Smith,M]
     Full Idea: The discussion of colour concepts shows that permutation problems arise when a set of concepts, acquired inter alia via the presentation of paradigms, is largely interdefined.
     From: Michael Smith (The Moral Problem [1994], 5.9)
     A reaction: Smith says that our normative moral concepts are largely interdefined in this way. The 'permutation' problem is that they can change places in the definition set, and so their intrinsic individual character is not pinned down. Sounds right.