Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Bonaventura, Edmund O. Wilson and Anaximenes

unexpand these ideas     |    start again     |     choose another area for these philosophers

display all the ideas for this combination of philosophers

---

2 ideas

26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 2. Natural Purpose / c. Purpose denied

5308	The only human purpose is that created by our genetic history [Wilson,EO]
	Full Idea: No species, ours included, possesses a purpose beyond the imperatives created by its genetic history.
	From: Edmund O. Wilson (On Human Nature [1978], Ch.1)
	A reaction: This invites the question of what that purpose is perceived to be. Some people feel an imperative to play the piano all day, so presumably genetic history has created that feeling. Presumably we can also choose a purpose, even extinction.

26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / c. Ultimate substances

1497	For Anaximenes nature is air, which takes different forms by rarefaction and condensation [Anaximenes, by Simplicius]
	Full Idea: Unlike Anaximander, Anaximenes' underlying nature is not boundless, but specific, since he says that it is air, and claims that it is thanks to rarefaction and condensation that it manifests in different forms in different things.
	From: report of Anaximenes (fragments/reports [c.546 BCE], A5) by Simplicius - On Aristotle's 'Physics' 9.24.26-