Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Stilpo, Lawrence M. Krauss and Timothy Williamson

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

display all the ideas for this combination of philosophers


2 ideas

28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / b. Ontological Proof critique
A thing can't be the only necessary existent, because its singleton set would be as well [Williamson]
     Full Idea: That there is just one necessary existent is surely false, for if x is a necessary, {x} is a distinct necessary existent.
     From: Timothy Williamson (Truthmakers and Converse Barcan Formula [1999], §1)
     A reaction: You would have to believe that sets actually 'exist' to accept this, but it is a very neat point.
28. God / C. Attitudes to God / 5. Atheism
Stilpo said if Athena is a daughter of Zeus, then a statue is only the child of a sculptor, and so is not a god [Stilpo, by Diog. Laertius]
     Full Idea: Stilpo asked a man whether Athena is the daughter of Zeus, and when he said yes, said,"But this statue of Athena by Phidias is the child of Phidias, so it is not a god."
     From: report of Stilpo (fragments/reports [c.330 BCE]) by Diogenes Laertius - Lives of Eminent Philosophers 02.10.5