Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Jonathan Dancy, Sextus Empiricus and John Locke

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2 ideas

29. Religion / A. Polytheistic Religion / 1. Animism
It is mad to think that what is useful to us, like lakes and rivers, are gods [Sext.Empiricus]
     Full Idea: To suppose that lakes and rivers, and whatsoever else is of a nature to be useful to us, are gods surpasses the height of lunacy.
     From: Sextus Empiricus (Against the Physicists (two books) [c.180], I.040)
     A reaction: He also points out the what is useful to us decays and changes. Sextus lived in a time when monotheism was becoming dominant.
29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 3. Problem of Evil / d. Natural Evil
If God foresaw evil he would presumably prevent it, and if he only foresees some things, why those things? [Sext.Empiricus]
     Full Idea: If God had forethought for all, there would be no evil in the world, yet they say the world is full of evil. And if he forethinks some things, why those and not others?
     From: Sextus Empiricus (Outlines of Pyrrhonism [c.180], III.9)