Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Aristotle, Sphaerus and Richard Cumberland

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2 ideas

26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / b. Scientific necessity

11043	It is not possible for fire to be cold or snow black [Aristotle]
	Full Idea: It is not possible for fire to be cold or snow black.
	From: Aristotle (Categories [c.331 BCE], 12b01)

26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / d. Knowing essences

9787	Scientists must know the essential attributes of the things they study [Aristotle]
	Full Idea: It would be strange for a natural scientist to know what the sun and the moon are, but to be completely ignorant about their necessary attributes.
	From: Aristotle (Physics [c.337 BCE], 193b27)
	A reaction: This nicely captures the common sense idea of essentialism - that we must know the essential features of things, and ignore the incidental ones (like sunspots, or phases of the moon).