Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Lynch,MP/Glasgow,JM, Anaxagoras and Thomas Hobbes

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2 ideas

6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / e. Ordinal numbers

17258	If we just say one, one, one, one, we don't know where we have got to [Hobbes]
	Full Idea: By saying one, one, one, one, and so forward, we know not what number we are at beyond two or three.
	From: Thomas Hobbes (De Corpore (Elements, First Section) [1655], 2.12.05)
	A reaction: This makes ordinals sound like meta-numbers.

6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 5. The Infinite / k. Infinitesimals

21382	Things get smaller without end [Anaxagoras]
	Full Idea: Of the small there is no smallest, but always a smaller.
	From: Anaxagoras (fragments/reports [c.460 BCE], B03), quoted by Gregory Vlastos - The Physical Theory of Anaxagoras II
	A reaction: Anaxagoras seems to be speaking of the physical world (and probably writing prior to the emergence of atomism, which could have been a rebellion against he current idea).